'Petai' thief mobbed to death

BANJARNEGARA, Central Java: A young man from Wonocipto village, Sigaluh district, was mobbed to death for stealing some of his neighbor's petai tree, a bean tree with a sharp odor.

The deceased, identified as Sukirman, 25, was caught stealing Dijo's trees on Monday evening.

Sukirman was about to be taken to the village hall, when a vengeful mob gathered and beat the young man.

Villagers say that Sukirman was known as a recurring thief and that villagers were quite frustrated with him.

Local police are still interrogating villagers over the incident. (45/dja)