A foreign woman was caught on camera stealing clothing from a boutique in Ubud, in footage that has since spread across social media and marks at least the fourth theft the store has experienced.
The incident occurred at Yoga Shanty store on Jalan Hanoman Number 30, Ubud, Gianyar, at 4:40pm on Monday, July 27, 2026. “The incident happened on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 4:40pm,” said Wangsa Kartika, an employee at Yoga Shanty, when contacted by detikBali on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
How the Theft Unfolded
According to Wangsa, the foreign tourist arrived at the store alone, carrying a large white bag. At the time, five other customers and two store employees were present.
Like other shoppers, she began browsing clothing and pants around the store, appearing to shop normally. Store staff say this was simply a cover for what followed.
Over the course of roughly 10 minutes, the woman took four items of clothing from the store: a pair of pants, a tank top, a mini skirt, and a jumpsuit. “All of the stolen items were red. The total value of the stolen goods was Rp 2.5 million (approximately $160). She tried on the pants in the fitting room, then put them into her bag. Her hand movements were very quick. We were also serving other customers at the time,” Wangsa told detikBali.
A Description, But No Identity
Wangsa said the store does not know the woman’s identity, but recalled her general appearance: dark hair, wearing a green top, shorts, and carrying a large white bag.
“Police have already come and taken statements. But we haven’t filed an official report yet. We’re just sharing this publicly so it doesn’t happen at other stores,” Wangsa said.
A Recurring Problem for the Store
According to Wangsa, this is not the first time clothing has been stolen from Yoga Shanty. The store has now experienced theft on four separate occasions.
Why This Matters for Ubud’s Retail Community
For small, independently run boutiques across Ubud, a district built largely on foot traffic from international visitors, this case highlights a persistent vulnerability: busy stores with limited staff coverage during peak browsing hours, exactly the conditions the suspect appears to have exploited. With four incidents now reported at a single store, local business owners may find it worth reviewing basic loss-prevention measures, additional staff positioning during busy periods, visible signage indicating CCTV coverage, and fitting room monitoring, particularly during late afternoon hours when foot traffic is high and staff attention is often divided among multiple customers.
For now, the store has chosen to make the footage public rather than formally pursue charges, a decision Wangsa said was intended primarily as a warning to other retailers rather than an attempt to identify or prosecute the individual involved.
