Suspected Chicken Thief Dies After Mob Attack in Tabanan, Five Residents Named Suspects

Tabanan Police have named five suspects in the fatal mob attack on a man accused of stealing chickens in Banjar Dinas Juwuk Legi, Batunya Village, Baturiti District. The five suspects have the initials MJ, WS, KB, ML, and ND.

Tabanan Police Chief AKBP I Putu Bayu Pati said the five suspects were identified following interrogations conducted at the Baturiti Police Station. “After interrogation, we named five suspects in the assault, all of whom are men,” Bayu Pati said during a press conference at the Tabanan Police Headquarters on Sunday evening (26/7/2026).

In addition to detaining the five suspects, police also seized evidence including the suspects’ clothing, an iron rod, and a bamboo stick believed to have been used to beat the victim, identified by the initials KD.

Tabanan Police Criminal Investigation Unit Head AKP Made Teddy Satria Permana said investigators had intensively examined 18 witnesses in the case. “From those 18 witnesses, five were subsequently named as suspects,” he explained.

Teddy added that the number of suspects could increase as the investigation deepens, based on further evidence and witness statements still being gathered in the field. Regarding the criminal charges, Teddy said the five suspects are charged under Article 262, paragraph (1), which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and Article 262, paragraph (4), which carries a maximum penalty of 12 years in prison.