Car thief dies after mobbing

JAKARTA (JP): A man who was mobbed by Central Jakarta residents Saturday for attempting to steal a car, died in hospital Sunday.

City Police Spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said Monday Asep Rosana Rozak, 25, tried to break into a car on Jl. Proklamasi, Menteng.

"Asep used a master key to open the car which had been left just a few minutes before by the owner, Wawan Kurniawan," Aritonang said.

Wawan, a private university student who was visiting a friend in the area, shouted for help when he saw the man opening the door, he said.

Dozens of residents, who heard Wawan's shout, chased Asep and assaulted him, Aritonang said.

Police officers arrived at the scene and arrested the suspect who had been beaten black and blue.

According to Aritonang, Asep was then taken to Kramatjati Police Hospital where he died Sunday.

Asep, a unemployed man, had just been released from Salemba penitentiary Friday, he said. (jun)