Street justice claims another victim

Street justice claims another victim

TANGERANG (JP): A suspected motorcycle thief was beaten to
death by a mob in Jatiuwung on Wednesday evening, the latest
victim of the capital's trend for street justice.

Sarwan, from Serang, West Java, was caught by local man
Suwarni, allegedly trying to steal a Honda Astrea motorcycle
belonging to Haris Rianto.

"At first I thought he was trying to fix the motorcycle. But
when I looked at him closely, I saw he was trying to pick the
lock. I shouted at him instantly," said Suwarni.

Hearing Suwarni's shouts, Haris chased after Sarwan, who had
begun to flee the scene. He was quickly cornered by residents.
Unable to escape, Sarwan then was beaten viciously.

Jatiuwung Police officers arrived at the crime scene after
receiving a report from a resident, and brought Sarwan to
Tangerang General Hospital. But he died from loss of blood on the
way.

Jatiuwung Police chief First Lt. Budi Hermawan regretted the
killing and called on people to stop taking arbitrary actions
toward crime suspects.

"People are supposed to turn over any suspects to the police
instead of killing them on the spot," he said. (41/nvn)