DENPASAR, Bali — A 23-year-old Portuguese national has told police that a group of people blocked his car, threw stones at the vehicle and demanded Rp20 million during an incident in Pecatu, South Kuta, early Saturday morning.
The foreign national, identified as Salvador Teixeima Gomes, was driving a Honda HR-V along Jalan Buana Sari at around 3 a.m. on October 3 with a 31-year-old Polish woman, identified as Paulina MJ, and three other men.
According to police, Salvador said the incident began near Jalan Suarga Padang-Padang Hotel after he sounded his horn at three people in front of the vehicle.
After he overtook them, the group allegedly followed the car.
When the vehicle reached Jalan Buana Sari, Salvador said another vehicle blocked their path and members of the group began throwing stones at the car, breaking one of its windows.
During an argument, Salvador said he was asked to hand over Rp20 million.
The demand was allegedly linked to an accusation that he had struck one of the people in the group with his car. Salvador denied hitting anyone and refused to pay.
The situation then escalated.
Police said Salvador alleged that he and Paulina were struck after she opened one of the vehicle’s windows.
“The incident has been reported and is still under investigation,” Denpasar Police spokesperson Iptu I Gede Adi Saputra Jaya said on October 5.
Traditional village security officers, known as pecalang, later arrived at the scene.
Pecalang officer Ketut Astana said he had been patrolling at around 3 a.m. when security personnel from Bingin Beach informed him that around 20 people were gathered at the location.
Astana said he was initially told that a foreign national had allegedly struck an online motorcycle taxi driver.
He and local civil protection officers then went to the scene, but several people suspected of being involved reportedly fled when they arrived.
The two foreign nationals who said they had been assaulted were taken to Nusa Medica Klinik Pratama for medical treatment.
Police have also reviewed CCTV footage from outside the victims’ rented accommodation, which they had passed while allegedly being followed.
However, investigators said the images did not clearly identify the people involved because the subjects were moving and appeared blurred.
Police are continuing to investigate the alleged assault, property damage and demand for Rp20 million, as well as the circumstances that led to the confrontation.
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