Panca Nugraha, Mataram – Hundreds of people vandalized and set fire to the Labuapi Police station in West Lombok regency Sunday, injuring two officers.

The incident was caused by news that police had shot and killed a resident of Karang Bangkot, which is located about 15 kilometers from the West Nusa Tenggara provincial capital Mataram.

West Nusa Tenggara Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. HM Basri said the attack on the station had caused at least Rp 50 million (US$5,494) in damages. "We're still investigating who was involved in the attack," he said Monday.

Basri said police arrested Karang Bangkot resident Sanggar, 35, Sunday morning on suspicion of vehicle theft. During questioning, Sanggar reportedly gave police the names of others involved in stealing cars. "Sanggar mentioned the name of Adur, his neighbor. So police officers asked him to show them where Adur lived. But on the way to the house, Sanggar attempted to escape," he said.

Basri said the eight officers accompanying the suspect fired several warning shots, but when Sanggar failed to stop the officers were forced to fire on him. "He was shot three times, twice in the legs and once in the back." Sanggar was taken to Kemala Hikmah police hospital but passed away.

When the suspect's family and neighbors in Karang Bangkot received word of his death, about 500 of them vented their anger on the nearby Labuapi Police station.

Basri said at the time of the attack there were only eight officers in the station, and two were injured when the mob began hurling stones. "The crowd then used gasoline to set fire (to the station)," he said.

Officers from the West Lombok Police and the West Nusa Tenggara Police's paramilitary unit arrived at the scene at around 7 p.m. and were able to restore calm. "The situation is now under control," Basri said.

Sanggar's body was taken by his family Monday for burial.