Residents surround police office

PURBALINGGA, Central Java: Armed with sharp weapons, at least 100 residents of Pakeringan village, Karangmoncol district, surrounded Karangmoncol police precinct on Friday, demanding that the police hand over a suspected thief.

A witness, Slamet Subur, said the residents feared that police would free the thief, identified as Mistoyo, without a trial.

"Mistoyo is an infamous culprit in the area," said Slamet, who claimed that he himself has been a victim to Mistoyo's thievery.

A platoon of police were deployed to disperse the crowd before police removed Mistoyo to a safer detention location at Purbalingga police precinct. (45/jun)