Jake Blundell: Fitness influencer Elastaboy’s ‘honest mistake’ after taking bracelet from store in Bali

A Bondi fitness influencer boasting more than one million Instagram followers claims it was an honest mistake when he was caught leaving a Bali shop without initially paying for a bracelet.

A Bondi fitness influencer boasting more than one million Instagram followers claims it was an honest mistake when he was caught leaving a Bali store without initially paying for a bracelet he put on while browsing.

He later returned to the shop and paid for the item.

Jake Blundell, also known as Elastaboy on Instagram, admitted he was “in the wrong and dropped the ball” after he was caught on CCTV putting on a bracelet, worth approximately three million Indonesian Rupiah, at the Ulu Garden Shop in Uluwatu on the evening of October 22.

In an Instagram video posted by Italian comedian Christian Giacobbe, it depicts a topless Mr Blundell putting on the bracelet before walking around the store and then leaving some time later.

Fitness influencer Jake Blundell, best known as Elastaboy. Picture: Instagram

Speaking exclusively to The Daily Telegraph, Mr Blundell said he was celebrating his mother’s 60th birthday with his extended family in Bali.

“We walked through the store quite rushed initially as had just all been to an amazing sunset yoga stint at Istana,” he said.

“(We were) rushed because we were all so hungry so we went downstairs to the restaurant to eat.”

Mr Blundell said they returned upstairs after dinner and wandered around the store “looking at everything” before he tried on the bracelet and stayed for “around 30 minutes”.

“My mum had actually made a purchase during this time,” he said.

“While browsing, it completely slipped my mind that I was wearing the bracelet I tried on 30 minutes earlier and left the store.”

Mr Blundell said he paid for the bracelet “as soon as I realised my mistake” and had proof of his purchase.

Mr Blundell shown on CCTV video with the bracelet he says he accidentally took from a Bali shop. Photo: Instagram

“I have since been in contact with both the store owner and local authorities to ensure the situation is resolved,” he said.

“The owner was understanding and recognised it was a once off mistake and appreciated me returning to the store to pay for the bracelet.”

He claimed it was an “honest mistake” which was “very embarrassing”.

“This was completely out of character ... and I deeply regret any unintended harm or misunderstanding”.

However, Mr Giacobbe said the owners had contacted him for help days after the incident which prompted him to post the video.

The shop’s owner, Virginie, confirmed Mr Blundell had only paid for the bracelet about “one hour” after the video was posted.

Mr Blundell said he never wanted to “bring a bad name to the tourists that visit Bali” and looked forward to returning to “show my support for their country”.

Originally published as Jake Blundell: Fitness influencer Elastaboy’s ‘honest mistake’ after taking bracelet from store in Bali