Australian man wanted over alleged rampage at Bali tattoo studio

An Australian man has been accused of smashing up a shop in Bali, with police trying to hunt him.

The owner of a tattoo studio in Bali has accused an Australian man of smashing up his shop in a case of mistaken identity.

Pictures posted to social media show extensive damage to the front of Evolve Ink Bali in Kuta, with a huge piece of the front window missing and glass shattered on the floor, alongside what appears to be a broken brick or large rock.

Inside, a drink fridge is also shown smashed.

The owner of the shop, Nizar Simahardy, claims an Australian man and another unknown man came to the shop one night earlier this month looking for the owner but the person they were looking for was not him.

The owner of Evolve Ink Bali says an Australian man was involved in smashing his shop. Picture: Nizar Simahardy

Mr Simahardy said he was not there at the time and claimed the men refused to believe his friends, who were at the shop, when they told them they had the wrong person.

The tattooist alleged the men smashed a fridge with a chair and left. He then further alleged later the same night after the shop was closed, witnesses saw a man throw a brick at the glass shop front, causing the damage.

He claimed the men tried to flee on a scooter but collided with another man, sparking a street brawl.

The owner claims it was a case of mistaken identity. Picture: Nizar Simahardy

A drink fridge was allegedly smashed with a chair. Picture: Nizar Simahardy

Mr Simahardy said he knew of the alleged perpetrators because he had tattooed him last year.

He said he obtained a copy of one Australian driver’s licence from the hotel they stayed at the time.

Daily Mail Australia reported Kuta police chief Ketut Agus Pasek Sudina confirmed local police had received a complaint about the alleged incident and were investigating.

“We are now chasing the perpetrator. We have also co-ordinated with Immigration,” he said.

Mr Simahardy told the outlet the men were demanding money they were owed, but claimed “it’s not true” and speculated the intended target may have been the previous owner of the shop before he took over in December.