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ix weeks after an Australian girl was raped inside her Kuta holiday villa in Bali, the local police finally arrested the knife-wielding lone criminal allegedly responsible for the crime that shocked the island.

The suspect, identified as Junaedi, a 39-year-old native of Central Lombok, is a known criminal and recidivist.

The detectives tasked with tracking down Junaedi stormed his rented room in Ubung, a densely populated area in North Denpasar, on Sunday.

Police reports revealed that Junaedi tried to flee and the detectives, fearing that they would not be able to find him again once he melted into the crowded neighborhood, decided to fire several shots. Two bullets pierced both his legs and put an end to his attempted escape.

In separate arrests, the detectives also took into custody two suspects believed to be Junaedi's accomplices. The men were identified as Hasim, a native of Central Lombok, and Mariah. They allegedly acted as middlemen transporting and selling the stolen valuables to a fence identified as Taufik, who is still at large.

North Kuta Police chief Adj. Comr. Reinhard Habonaran Nainggolan said that in the days immediately following the rape, which took place April 27, his detectives went underground to find the man matching the description provided by the 28-year-old victim.

At the same time, detectives from other regions in Bali and a special team dispatched by Bali Police cast a wide net to snare any known robbers and burglars on the island.

The operation resulted in the arrest of a gang of robbers, comprising Lombok natives, by Gianyar Police and two gangs of robbers, one of Lombok natives and the other Ambon natives, by the Bali Police.

Junaedi was released one year ago from Gianyar prison after serving time for a string of violent robberies. Nainggolan also disclosed that Junaedi had always operated on the night of the new moon and carried a belt carrying a supernatural amulet. During the police interrogation, Junaedi confessed to the rape.

Nainggolan said that Junaedi would be charged with violent robbery and rape, violations that carry a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.