KUANTAN: A 28-year-old suspected thief nearly passed out after being beaten by a group of villagers at Felda Lepar Hilir here on Friday for stealing a cow.
Furious villagers who spotted the suspect trying to flee the settlement with a cattle inside his getaway car about 4pm, immediately blocked the vehicle and ordered the suspect to step out.
Despite his cries to be spared, the man was beaten up by the villagers before he was handed to the police.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner Abdul Aziz Salleh said investigations revealed that the villagers were angered over the growing number of missing livestock over the past few months and had attacked the suspect.
He said police were investigating if the suspect, who has been remanded for four days, was part of a syndicate of cattle rustlers actively involved in stealing livestock in the state capital and also neighbouring districts.
"Police have recorded statements from the villagers. We believe the suspect is a drug addict and are in the midst of identifying the car owner," he said.
On May 15, two men fled empty-handed after a cow herd spotted the suspects trying to carry a livestock into a car in Kampung Pisang, Jerantut,
The suspects had shot the animal with a tranquilliser dart before attempting to load it into their getaway car with the rear seat folded.
However, upon noticing the farm owner, the suspects dashed into their vehicle and sped off towards the main road.