Motorbike thief burned to death

BOGOR: A man attempting to steal a motorcycle was burned to death by an angry mob in Cibanon village, Ciawi subdistrict of Bogor last Friday.

Dedih, 40, an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver who owns the vehicle said that the incident happened at 11:30 p.m. after the suspected thief negotiated a ride to Tajur village. Shortly after they were en route the man hit Dedih with a wooden club and tried to escape with the motorcycle.

A woman who happened to see the incident shouted for help and immediately villagers ran out of their homes and attacked the would-be thief, later burning him to death.

Bogor Police Precinct Chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Bambang Wasgito confirmed the incident on Saturday and said that the police were still investigating the case.

The victim Dedih was taken to the state hospital in Ciawi for treatment of his injuries, while the body of the criminal was sent to PMI hospital in Bogor. --JP