Man in Tabanan Beaten to Death, Motorcycle Burned by Mob After Alleged Chicken Theft

A man identified by his initials KD died after being brutally mobbed by residents in Banjar Dinas Juwuk Legi, Batunya Village, Baturiti District, Tabanan Regency, Bali, in the early hours of Friday, 24 July 2026. The incident was triggered after KD was allegedly caught attempting to steal a chicken. Police are now investigating the case. ‘The police are currently investigating the cause of death of the victim and the alleged criminal acts in the incident,’ said Bali Police Public Relations Sub-Division Head AKBP Rina Isriana Dewi on Saturday. The tragic event began around 1.30 a.m. local time when KD was caught by residents while trying to steal a chicken belonging to I Wayan Adi Suteja. Upon discovering the act, local residents moved to apprehend the suspect en masse. Unfortunately, the situation spiralled out of control. KD became the target of the mob’s fury and was severely beaten until he died. Additionally, the motorcycle allegedly used by the suspect during the crime was set ablaze by the angry crowd. Police officers arrived at the scene at 2.00 a.m. local time after receiving a report of the incident. Officers immediately secured the area, conducted a crime scene investigation, and collected evidence including the chicken, a machete believed to belong to KD, and a bag containing pliers, a slingshot, stones, and some cash. The charred remains of the motorcycle were also seized as evidence. Rina explained that the alleged chicken theft was fuelled by local residents’ anxiety, given the recent spate of livestock thefts in their village. As a preventive measure, Bali Police issued a stern warning to the public. ‘We urge the community not to take the law into their own hands and to leave the handling of any suspected criminal acts to law enforcement officials,’ Rina concluded.