A gang which stole goats in a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) in Srirangam and tried to escape was chased and caught by the local people in the early hours on Thursday.
While two of the gang members managed to escape, the remaining three were nabbed after a hot pursuit and reportedly given a sound thrashing by the public for stealing goats. The vehicle used by the accused, seven goats, and a mobile phone were seized by the police.
The names of the three accused were given as A. Jerald (21), A. Ramesh (22), both from South Paganur in Manikandam, and C. Karthi (24). They were admitted to the Mahatma Gandhi Government Hospital here for treatment after they were thrashed by the public.
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Police sources said the crime was committed shortly after midnight when the gang came to Srirangam Teppakulam area in the SUV. The accused went around the spot before committing the crime in the odd hours causing suspicion among the local people.
The sources said the gang members stole seven goats from the Teppakulam area which was noticed by the public at that moment. Upon noticing the theft of goats, a few local people boarded an auto nearby to nab the gang members who escaped in their vehicle.
During the hot chase, the auto and the SUV collided causing injuries to three persons travelling by the autorickshaw. Enraged by the action of the accused, public continued their chase and rounded up the SUV and reportedly damaged the rear windscreen of the vehicle.
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Two of the gang members managed to flee the spot while the remaining three who were caught by the locals were given a sound thrashing. The sources said the local people informed the police who took the three accused into their custody.
The accused were initially admitted to the Srirangam Government Hospital. Subsequently, they were referred to the Tiruchi Government Hospital for treatment.
The Srirangam (Crime) police has registered a case.