A Swiss tourist was arrested for allegedly robbing a local woman at knifepoint in Bali, Indonesia.

The suspect, identified by police only by the initials JS, 68, reportedly caused a minor traffic accident as a distraction to attack the victim, Ananda, along a road to Saba Beach in the Gianyar Regency on October 19 evening.

He was said to have deliberately braked abruptly, causing Ananda to rear end his Honda car with her motorbike. He then stormed out of the vehicle to confront the woman before reportedly threatening her with a folding knife and snatching her Redmi A1 phone from her hand.

The terrified woman said she fled the scene out of fear he would stab her. She reported the alleged mugging to the Gianyar Police, who arrested the Swiss man at a homestay in Ubud town.

Gianyar Police Chief AKBP Umar said in a press conference on November 14: 'The victim Ananda panicked when a Honda HRV DK 1501 LZ car driven by the perpetrator JS suddenly stopped in front of a shop on Jalan Raya Teges. JS admitted that he deliberately braked his car so that Ananda's motorbike would hit him.

'At that time, the perpetrator also took her key which was still attached to her motorbike. Then the victim reported this incident to the Gianyar Police.'

Police said JS was found to have been living in the Ubud area for around three months. Residents reportedly complained they were uncomfortable with him 'because he often acted arrogantly'.

JS was charged under Article 365 for 'theft accompanied with threat of force'. The offense carries a maximum punishment of
nine years in prison.