A watchman and his accomplice have been arrested for allegedly stealing from his employer's construction site in Athi River, Machakos county.
The duo was rescued from a mob before he was placed in lawful custody.
The two suspects were reportedly found stealing from a construction site along Quarry Road in the Syokimau area, Mlolongo division early Tuesday.
Machakos county police boss Joseph Ole Napeiyan said the incident was reported at Syokimau police station at 5.05 am on Tuesday.
“It was reported by a member of the public that there were thugs who had been arrested by residents along Quarry Road. Police officers rushed to the scene and established that the suspect, who is a watchman at the construction site was stealing D12 building steel metals from the site together with another suspect,” Napeiyan told the Star on Tuesday.
Napeiyan said neighbours raised an alarm that attracted residents who cornered and beat the suspects before they were rescued by the police.
He said one of the suspects sustained a fracture on his left ankle and was rushed to Mlolongo community hospital and later referred to Kitengela Level 4 Hospital in Kajiado County for future medication under police guard.
The police boss said the other suspect has been placed in custody awaiting arraignment in court.
“Three pieces of D12 building steel metals were recovered,” Napeiyan said.
He said officers from Syokimau police station had launched investigations into the incident.
The incident happened barely a week after a thug was rescued from lynching in Athi River town.
The unidentified man escaped death after he was subjected to mob injustice for allegedly robbing people of valuables within the subcounty last Tuesday.
