Alleged thieves beaten to death

PEKALONGAN, Central Java: A group of Meyosi village residents here killed two men on Monday night after catching them red- handed stealing a motorbike.

Maman Suparman, 20, and Surono, 21, died from severe chest and head wounds.

Pekalongan Police chief Lt. Col. Ismu Haryomo quoted witnesses as saying the two men attacked a Meyosi resident, Totok Sudarto, 50, and seized his motorbike.

"The victim screamed for help and immediately his neighbors ran after the robbers. The mob beat them for trying to put up a fight," Ismu said, adding that the alleged thieves died en route to the hospital.

He said police have long known the two because they once served jail terms in Nusakambangan Penitentiary, a prison for high-profile criminals on an island off Central Java. (har/edt)