A Bermudian woman is being held by authorities in Indonesia after a dispute over a bill at a Bali nail salon.

Andrea Warren, from Devonshire, and Chansler Butler, who was with her at the salon and is believed to be from the United States, could face up to two years in jail in the Indonesian province if charged and found guilty.

Footage taken from security cameras at the Ombre Nail Salon in Kerobokan last Thursday night show Ms Butler apparently being held by a member of the salon staff.

Ms Warren can be seen entering the salon holding cash just as the staff member releases Ms Butler, causing her to stumble backwards.

Ms Warren then confronted the staff member and said: “I was coming to give you the money. Relax yourself. Understand.

“Let me tell you something. I am trying to be reasonable. I asked you several times to let me outside. I ran outside to get money. You don't know what I'm going outside for. Why were you trying to hold me hostage?”

An argument then broke out between staff and the two visitors, who can be heard asking to see a manager.

The footage does not show how the dispute ended.

However, a text graphic posted on the video clip provided by the salon reads: “Please help us find these two persons. They refused to pay for their treatment and harassing our staff even tried to take our money on the cashier by force.”

According to local media reports, Ms Warren and Ms Butler were arrested at Ngurah Rai International Airport on Saturday when trying to board a flight to Thailand.

The Coconuts Bali news website reports that police said the women had gone to the salon for a body treatment but did not have enough money to pay.

“They then allegedly became angry and started causing a disturbance,” a report on the website stated.

The Daily Mail in Britain quoted the salon manager saying: “These customers came and asked for treatment in our studio, and they were informed about the prices and everything, but at the end they refused to pay the amounts.

“They blackmailed us that if we kept asking them to pay, they will leave a bad review, and they started to verbally abuse our staff.

“All proof was recorded and is being handled by our lawyer, and we submitted a report to police last night.

“They also attempted to take our money in the cashier and caused some physical injury and mental shock to our staff.

“We needed to catch them so they can at least apologise to our staff. Some of them are still trembling and crying until today.”

The Daily Mail report, posted on its website, also quoted Badung police chief Kompol I Made Pramasetia saying: “The pair were actually planning to stay in Indonesia until December 22. They were scheduled to visit Pulau Dewata, but they decided to leave on December 16 following the incident at the salon.“

The report added that the two women could face charges of violating Section 1, Article 351 of the Indonesian Penal Code, which states that maltreatment shall be punished with a maximum imprisonment of two years and eight months.

They could also be charged under Article 335, or “forcing others to do something”, which carries a maximum prison sentence of one year, the report said.

Ms Warren, 37, attended CedarBridge Academy and studied culinary arts management at the University of West London before working as a chef in the British capital.

She returned to Bermuda to work as a food supervisor for the Bermuda Hospitals Board.

In 2020, Ms Warren went back to Britain, where she now works as a personal trainer.

The two women were reportedly backpacking in Bali when the incident took place.

The Cabinet Office said that the Government was aware of the detention of a Bermudian national in Bali, Indonesia.

A spokeswoman said: “The Government of Bermuda is monitoring the matter regarding Bermudian, Andrea Warren, who has been detained overseas.

“Representatives from the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office are also aware of the matter and are providing support.”

A spokesman for the Foreign Office confirmed this morning: “We are supporting a British woman who has been arrested in Indonesia.”

The Royal Gazette contacted Government House to ask if Rena Lalgie was aware of the incident.

No response was received by press time.

• UPDATE: this article has been updated to include comments from the Bermuda Government and the Foreign Office

• On occasion The Royal Gazette may decide to not allow comments on what we consider to be a controversial or contentious story. As we are legally liable for any libellous or defamatory comments made on our website, this move is for our protection as well as that of our readers