Mob kills alleged thief

JAKARTA (JP): A 21-year-old man was mobbed to death after the owner of a motorcycle spotted him allegedly attempting to steal his bike in Rawamangun, East Jakarta, late on Wednesday.

The victim was identified later as Rudi P. Setyawan, a resident of Cempaka Putih in Central Jakarta.

A police report said Rudi and his accomplice tried to steal a motorcycle parked near the building of state-owned publishing company Balai Pustaka.

The bike owner, Eden, who was eating at a nearby food stall, shouted repeatedly "thief, thief" after he saw his motorcycle being wheeled away by two men. His shouts attracted the attention of others nearby who quickly apprehended Rudy and mobbed him to death.

Rudy's accomplice, however, managed to flee the mob. (emf)