An 11-year-old elementary school student was kidnapped from his school in Denpasar on Wednesday, 5 February 2025.
The abductor was later identified as I Wayan Sudirta, 29, a former employee of the victim’s father.
According to Iptu Nur Habib, head of the Criminal Investigation Unit at the South Denpasar Police, the victim’s parents became aware of the abduction after being contacted by one of their employees. The father had asked this employee to pick up his son from school, but upon arrival, the child was nowhere to be found.
“The witness coordinated with the school and checked CCTV footage, which showed the victim being picked up by someone on a motorcycle,” Nur Habib said on Wednesday.
Shocked by the footage, the victim’s parents immediately reported Sudirta to the police, prompting authorities to launch a manhunt.
Ransom Demand and Police Chase
Investigators revealed that Sudirta had contacted the victim’s mother, demanding a ransom of Rp 100 million and threatening to harm the child if the demand was not met.
“The perpetrator admitted to calling the victim’s mother and asking for Rp 100 million,” Nur Habib said.
In a recorded phone conversation obtained by detikBali, the victim’s parents attempted to negotiate with Sudirta, who initially refused to lower the ransom.
“Don’t ever report this to the police. If you do, your child here and the one in Surabaya will also be in danger. I want the Rp 100 million transferred immediately,” Sudirta was heard saying in the recording.
Eventually, he agreed to accept Rp 30 million.
Police tracked Sudirta’s movements to Ngurah Rai International Airport but later located him near PT Indonesia Power in Pedungan, Denpasar. He was arrested while attempting to flee on a motorcycle with the victim.
“We apprehended the suspect as he was transporting the victim. He tried to escape,” Nur Habib said.
Motive: Revenge Over Job Termination
Sudirta is now in custody at the South Denpasar Police Station, while the victim has been rescued unharmed.
During questioning, Sudirta admitted to kidnapping the child out of resentment after being fired by the victim’s father.
“The perpetrator confessed that he carried out the abduction as an act of revenge against the victim’s parents for terminating his employment,” Nur Habib said.
