Suspected goat thieves chopped

Two men suspected to be goat thieves were rushed to the hospital yesterday afternoon after being attacked and injured by residents in St Thomas.

The police say two others implicated in the alleged theft are on the run.

It is reported that about 11 a.m., a police team from Morant Bay, acting on information, went into the Old Pera community in the parish where a man, who is said to be a farmer of 10 Miles, Bull Bay, St Andrew, was seen suffering from chop wounds inflicted by angry residents. The other man who was also chopped reportedly went into hiding.

Positively identified

It is reported that on arrival, the police also saw a white Nissan AD wagon motor vehicle containing a number of goats, some of which were positively identified by the residents as their stolen property. Two other men reportedly escaped.

The vehicle, which was reportedly damaged by residents, was taken to the Morant Bay Police Station.

The injured suspect who was found on the scene by the police was rushed to the Princess Margaret Hospital.

The other suspect was later picked up by the police and is also being treated at the hospital in a serious conditions.

This incident brings to three the number of alleged goat thefts reported in the parish within the past three weeks.