According to Pagak Police precinct chief Adj. Comr. Winarto, residents in a village in the Bantur subdistrict have been concerned over recent rumors that child kidnappings had been taking place in the area. After assessing their "suspicious" movements, the two men were accused of being kidnappers.

'€œThe two men were deemed suspicious by residents and they took the law into their own hands by capturing them and almost setting them on fire. However, we managed to get to the scene immediately to stop the act and secure the men,'€ Winarto said on Monday as quoted by kompas.com.

Investigators said that the men, who were not residents of Malang, were allegedly taking part in violent robberies, but it remained unclear whether or not the men were responsible for child kidnappings.

'€œPolice have seized a broom, some clothes and a large amount of money from them as evidence,'€ Malang Police head of criminal investigation unit one First Comr. Yan Ushuludin said.

Tempo.co reported on Friday that the residents of Malang had been concerned over rumors that child kidnappers were actively operating in the area.

Over the past few weeks, rumors of the alleged child kidnappings spread through text messages and BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) broadcasts, stoking fears and suspicions among residents in Malang.

The police are tracking down the people responsible for spreading the messages, considering the activity a cyber-crime. (dyl/nfo)(++++)

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