An alleged thief was beaten after he was caught while reportedly trying to escape through the ceiling of a gaming lounge in Half-Way Tree, St Andrew, on the weekend.

THE STAR understands that the proprietor of the gaming lounge went to his establishment to open its doors and was just in time to see the legs of the alleged thief crawling into the ceiling in a bid to escape.

It is reported that after the man was caught, within minutes an angry mob gathered and started beating him severely.

Police, who were alerted, had to rescue the man from the angry crowd. He was rushed to hospital where he received treatment before being taken into custody at the Half-Way Tree Police Station.

still in custody

Head of the St Andrew Central police, Superintendent Derrick 'Cowboy' Knight, confirmed the incident last night adding that the alleged thief was still in custody

When THE STAR visited the lounge on Tuesday, we were told the proprietor had just stepped out. However, we were told by a source: "It's like di man open up the place and catch the man inna di place and in no time a crowd come down on him and started beating him. Dem do di youth bad a di police did have to sort out things," he said.

THE STAR also spoke to a woman who said the alleged thief looked to be in his early 20s.