Suspected Chicken Thief Beaten to Death in Tabanan, 5 Residents Named Suspects

In Baturiti, Tabanan, Bali, five residents have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man, believed to be a chicken thief, died from a mob beating. The suspects, identified as MJ, WS, KB, ML, and ND, are all male and are believed to have participated in the assault. According to the Tabanan Police Chief AKBP I Putu Bayu Pati, the five suspects were identified following interrogations at the Baturiti Police Station. "After interrogation, we have named five suspects who were involved in the beating, all of whom are male," Bayu Pati stated during a press conference at the Tabanan Police Headquarters on Sunday (26/7/2026) evening. In addition to apprehending the five suspects, the police also seized several pieces of evidence, including the suspects' clothing, an iron pipe, and a bamboo pole, believed to have been used to strike the victim, KD. Head of the Tabanan Criminal Investigation Unit, AKP Made Teddy Satria Permana, stated that investigators have intensively examined 18 witnesses in connection with the case. "From these 18 witnesses, five have been named as suspects," Teddy explained. He added that the number of suspects could potentially increase as the investigation deepens, based on the evidence and witness testimonies being collected in the field. Regarding the potential penalties, Teddy mentioned that the five suspects are being charged under Article 262 (1) of the Criminal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment, and Article 262 (4), which carries a maximum sentence of 12 years imprisonment. Source: Detik