Teen alleged to have stolen car rims, beaten to death

It was a dead end for a teenage motorcyclist when he allegedly attempted to make a getaway with two stolen car rims from a workshop in Kampung Surau here early Friday.

Blocking the 18-year-old's path were the enraged workshop proprietor and several residents.

In a scuffle that ensued about 5.30am, the teenager from Sungai Rambai was beaten to death.

Seberang Perai Tengah police deputy chief Supt Mohd Sabri Mohamed said the police detained the 42-year-old proprietor, who was also a contractor, to facilitate investigations into the killing.

He said the proprietor told the police that since last month, there were several thefts of car rims from the workshop which was located behind the Terubok flat in Kampung Surau.

"We believe the teenager's accomplices are at large and will track them down," said Mohd Sabri, adding that the body was sent to the Seberang Jaya Hospital.

He said the motorcycle used by the teenager in the alleged theft of the two car rims was reported stolen in Butterworth on May 3.