Tabanan Police have named five suspects in connection with last week’s fatal mob attack in Baturiti, while revealing new details confirming the victim was carrying stolen goods when he was caught, and had a prior criminal record dating back years.
At a press conference held at Tabanan Police Headquarters on Sunday night, July 26, 2026, Tabanan Police Chief AKBP I Putu Bayu Pati confirmed that the victim, KD, was found in possession of two stolen chickens when he was apprehended by residents in Banjar Dinas Juwuk Legi, Batunya Village, Baturiti District, on Friday, July 24.
A History With Law Enforcement
According to Bayu Pati, this was not KD’s first encounter with the justice system. Police records show he was a repeat offender, previously convicted for clove theft in a case handled by Tabanan Police in 2018. Additionally, the motorbike he was riding, and which was later set on fire by the crowd, had itself been stolen from Bangli Regency in 2019.
“It’s true that he was a repeat offender and had previously committed similar crimes. However, our law enforcement response must remain proportionate regardless,” Bayu Pati said.
Confirming the Theft, With Caveats
Regarding the alleged theft itself, police confirmed the victim was carrying two chickens at the time he was caught, though the specific breed and their monetary value remain under investigation.
“He was found carrying two stolen chickens. We’re still verifying the breed and value to avoid providing inaccurate information,” Bayu Pati explained.
Police also confirmed that KD was carrying a knife, a slingshot, and small stones at the time of the incident.
Five Suspects Named, More Could Follow
In terms of the ongoing investigation, police have formally named five suspects in the mob attack, identified by their initials as MJ, WS, KB, ML, and ND. Despite social media speculation suggesting a larger number of people were involved, investigators say they are currently focused on determining the specific roles of these five individuals before deciding whether additional suspects will be named.
“We can’t yet disclose each person’s specific role, as that’s still under investigation. These five individuals are the ones we’ve named as suspects based on preliminary evidence,” Bayu Pati stated.
Pushing Back on Claims of a Slow Response
Police rejected suggestions that the investigation had moved too slowly. According to Bayu Pati, investigators worked continuously over two days to gather evidence and establish a clear account of events.
“We didn’t sleep for two days to accelerate this investigation. Today, we went straight into this press conference right after finishing at the investigation site (Baturiti Police Sector),” he said.
A Pattern of Livestock Theft Behind the Tension
According to police data, six chicken theft cases have been reported within the local jurisdiction throughout 2026 alone. Authorities say the rising frequency of livestock theft has been a significant factor fueling community frustration and anxiety in the area.
Calm Restored, but Vigilance Continues
Police say the situation in Batunya Village has returned to a calm, stable state following the incident. Even so, authorities say they continue implementing security measures and are urging residents not to take the law into their own hands, calling instead for any suspected criminal activity to be reported directly to law enforcement.
Why These Details Matter
The revelation that KD had a prior criminal history and was in possession of stolen property doesn’t change the fundamental legal question at the center of this case, whether vigilante violence resulting in death can ever be justified, regardless of a suspect’s guilt or history. Police Chief Bayu Pati’s own comment, that “law enforcement must remain proportionate regardless” of the victim’s background, underscores this distinction clearly: confirming a theft occurred and identifying a criminal record doesn’t retroactively legitimize the fatal response it triggered.
For observers following the case, and for the coordinated web of government support already extended to KD’s surviving children through Buleleng Regency, Tabanan Regency, and a sitting DPD RI senator, these new facts add important context without altering the core legal reality investigators are working through: five named suspects now face scrutiny for a killing that occurred before any court had the chance to determine what, if anything, KD’s alleged theft actually warranted.
