Suspected 15-year-old motorbike thief caught, stripped nude and beaten

KOTA BARU: Pictures of a suspected 15-year-old motorcycle thief, who was beaten, stripped nude and forced to sit on the vehicle near Masjid Pauh Lima, Binjai, here, have gone viral on the Internet.

About five nude pictures have been circulating, showing the suspect who appeared to have been beaten before he was handed over to the police.

Netizens, however, reacted negatively to the suspect's punishment, showing pity towards him and disdain for those who placed him in the humiliating position.

"The Imam (of the mosque) should have stopped the mob from disgracing the suspect and should have intervened," said Ustaz, a Facebook user.

Meanwhile, Kota Baru OCPD Asst Comm Rohaimi Md Isa confirmed that the incident took place at 8.15pm Tuesday, where the suspect was caught red-handed by mosque-goers while he was trying to steal a motorcycle from within the compound.

In a media statement, ACP Rohaimi said policemen from the Binjai police station arrested the suspect and seized the motorcycle after receiving a report.

"However, we could not ascertain who apprehended the young suspect and beat him up.

"He was sent to the Raja Perempuan Zainab II for medical treatment for injuries to his head, as well as cuts and bruises on his body, hands and legs.

"The suspect admitted trying to steal the motorcycle and said he had an accomplice, responsible for a spate of motorcycle thefts in the Binjai and Melor areas," he added.

ACP Rohaimi said the suspect, who is being remanded, is being investigated under Section 379A and Section 511 of the Penal Code.