A middle aged man suspected of stealing from Embu residents has been beaten to death by mob in Embu town and his body burnt.
The locals claim the deceased was part of a gang that has been breaking into residential house and stealing household items.
Confirming the incident Embu Municipality location chief Titus Mugambi said the gangs have been breaking into houses of Dallas estate residents after they have left for work.
Mugambi said the thieves would lock locals from particular plots inside their houses after identifying the house whose owner was not in before breaking in and stealing the property.
“When breaking into houses they lock some people in their houses from outside so that they can comfortably steal but locals identified them and beat one of them to death,” Mugambi said adding that the gangs were targeting utensils in their criminal pursuits.
Two suspects escaped unhurt from members of public who were baying for their blood.
Chief Mugambi also urged members of public not to take law into their hands when they arrest suspects but instead hand them over to police as dictated by the law.
The remains of the deceased was taken to Embu level 5 hospital mortuary as police launch investigations and manhunt for other suspects who escaped arrest.
Locals in Embu town are decrying increased insecurity cases in the area and are calling on police officers to intensify security patrols especially at night.
Last week a night guard was killed at Kianjokoma in Embu North and property of unknown value stolen. Another guard was also injured in the robbery.
Last week police officers in Embu town nabbed a car which was transporting some stolen goods .
The car had TV screens, crates of beer, a piano and music instruments among other goods suspected to have been stolen from locals.
Embu county commissioner Abdulahi Galgalo said police officers are on high alert and have been patrolling different parts of the county to beef up security.
He also urged members of public to continue providing police with information so that they can arrest those who are terrorising locals.
