Police Yet to Conclude Whether Man Killed by Mob in Morowali Was a Motorcycle Thief

Police are still investigating the case of a man with the initials S (33) who died after being beaten by a mob following accusations of stealing a motorbike near a minimarket in Morowali Regency, Central Sulawesi.

Investigators have so far been unable to conclude that the man was indeed a motorbike thief.

“The examination is still ongoing, so there are no conclusions we can convey yet,” said the Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of Morowali Police, AKP Wawan Kurnadi, to detikcom on Tuesday (28/7/2026).

Wawan said the man was indeed seen pushing a minimarket employee’s motorbike, as shown in circulating CCTV footage. The man was then suspected of stealing the motorbike and was set upon by the crowd.

“In the video, the victim (of the beating) is indeed seen pushing a motorbike in front of the Indomaret. However, we cannot draw any conclusions before the entire examination process is complete,” he said.

“Once the examination of all witnesses is finished, only then can the full chronology and the actual facts of the incident be concluded,” Wawan added.

Investigators will also examine the minimarket employee whose motorbike was pushed and moved by the man, S. The examination process also involves Bahodopi Police.

“Witnesses being examined include the woman whose motorbike was allegedly taken, making her a victim, the Indomaret employee, and several other witnesses who were at the scene,” he explained.

S died after being beaten in Bahomakmur village, Bahodopi district, Morowali, on Saturday (25 July) at around 23.05 Central Indonesia Time. S had taken refuge inside the minimarket before being dragged out and attacked by the mob.

The man, S, was taken to hospital for treatment but the victim died.