Alleged thief beaten to death

TANGERANG: Angry residents mobbed a man to death here on Monday evening for allegedly trying to steal a motorcycle belonging to an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver.

Tangerang subprecinct police chief Insp. Sumanto said the suspect was identified as Ismail Siregar, 35, a resident of Cipete village, Pinang subdistrict, Cipondoh, Tangerang.

According to Sumanto, the suspect asked ojek driver Amsar, 34, who was waiting for passengers at the Modern Land housing complex entrance, to take him to a nearby destination.

But, when they were some 300 meters away from the complex's gate, the suspect suddenly attacked Amsar neck and attempted to make off with his Honda Supra, Sumanto said.

The suspect panicked, however, after Ansar started screaming for help, and ran off towards Cikokol market. Dozens of residents who heard Ansar's shouts immediately gave chase. After they caught Ismail at the new Cikokol flyover, the beat him to death.

Several police officers who arrived minutes later at the scene recovered Ismail's body and sent it to the Tangerang General Hospital morgue.--JP