Two mobbed to death

TANGERANG (JP): An unidentified man was beaten to death by angry mobs after being caught red-handed attempting to steal a motorcycle in Caranang village of Cikupa district here on Wednesday night.

Tangerang Police chief detective Capt. Krisnadi said on Thursday that the man, in his 20s, was spotted by local residents at about 7:30 p.m. while struggling to grab the motorcycle from an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver.

"Dozens of the residents then beat the man, who later died from severe bruises and stab injuries all over his body," Krisnadi said.

About one and a half hours after the Caranang incident, another man -- later identified as Hasan Basri -- was killed in a nearby area by local youths.

Krisnadi quoted witnesses as saying that the victim was attacked by the youths after he tried to break up a fight between the group and a fried rice vendor.

He died on the way to the local hospital with stab injuries and severe bruises to his body.

Krisnadi regretted the lawlessness of the people which had cost the two men their lives.

He questioned why the people refused to report the first case to the local police so it could be settled in accordance with the law. (41/jun)