A cash-strapped American tourist was arrested for allegedly stealing a Bulgarian woman's suitcase in Indonesia.

The suspect, identified by his initials SLS, 50, reportedly swiped the luggage belonging to Desislava Dimitrova Harseva, 51, at the AMNAYA Resort Kuta on Bali island, on March 26.

CCTV footage shows SLS eyeing the unattended bag before picking it up and fleeing the hotel lobby.

Desislava, who had just arrived at the resort, said she was checking in at reception and failed to notice the theft. She went to retrieve her suitcase only to find it had vanished.

The distraught holidaymaker alerted the staff and police, who reviewed the security footage and identified SLS as the alleged thief. The Bulgarian guest said there was 76 million IDR (3,500 GBP) of luxury sunglasses, wristwatches, designer shoes, make-up, and clothing in the stolen luggage.

AKP I Ketut Sukadi, spokesman for the Denpasar Police, said: 'The case began when Desislava was about to check into the hotel on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at around 9:30 pm. While checking in, she left her luggage with a bellboy, who then handed it over to the security guard to head to the restroom. After registering, the woman went to retrieve her baggage but found it missing. She asked the hotel employee and they realised the suitcase was no longer in the lobby.'

Police hunted the American and tracked him down at a hotel in Badung on March 28. He was detained and allegedly confessed to the crime.

He claimed he had resorted to robbery to fund his stay on the tropical island.

Authorities said he had committed similar thefts before, by posing as a hotel guest before making off with unsuspecting tourists' belongings.

SLS was taken to the Kuta Police Station for further questioning.