Youth accused of stealing beaten to death by mob

BUTTERWORTH: An 18-year-old youth died after he was assaulted by several people who had caught him allegedly stealing spare parts from a car workshop near the Terubuk Flats in Seberang Jaya near here.

Central Seberang Prai deputy OCPD Supt Mohd Sabri Muhamad said S. Vishantha Rao from Perumahan Desa Wawasan, Sungai Rambai, Bukit Mertajam died at the scene at about 6am yesterday.

“We recovered two sport rims and also a stolen motorcycle believed to have been used by the deceased,” he added.

Supt Mohd Sabri said a police team rushed to the scene upon receiving a call from the owner of the shop at about 6am to report about the theft.

“We also detained the owner, 42, to facilitate investigations. He has a previous drug case in Solok Terubuk, Seberang Jaya,” he added.

Police are now looking for several people who were involved in the assault which could have led to Vishantha’s death.

The body has been sent to the Seberang Jaya Hospital for post-mortem.

Supt Mohd Sabri urged eye-witnesses who saw the incident to call the district police headquarters at 04-5382222 or the nearest police station.