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thief has left a message for his victim after stealing 12 goats from a pen in Rangkalan Jaya Baru, Pancoran Mas, Depok, West Java.

“Please take care of the young goats. Once they are adults, I will take them too,” the message said, as conveyed by Pancoran Mas Police chief Comr. Rudi Wowor to kompas.com on Wednesday.

The thief apparently butchered the goats on site on Tuesday evening and left their innards inside the pen, he added.

The owner suffered material losses of Rp 20 million (US$ 1,480).

Rudi said there had been several similar incidents in Depok, and before the Rangkalan Jaya Baru case the police had dealt with a similar case in Sawangan and Bulak Timur.

Despite the many cases, Rudi added, few residents reported them to the police and, hence, the police found it difficult to launch investigations.

“There have been cases where animals were stolen but the residents just let them go. They seem not to be bothered. We cannot force them to report the incidents,” he added. “However, we will not stay silent. We will question relevant parties in investigating the cases.”