A suspected cattle thief is being held at Ukwala police station in Ugenya, Siaya County after he was found in possession of a stolen cow and a calf at Nyangera village.

Charles Okut, 30, was arrested after he was found escorting the animals to an unknown destination.

Siaya County Police Commander Cleti Kimaiyo one of the area residents reported to the police that a cow and a calf belonging to their mother had gone missing from their shed.

Members of the public were mobilized before they began a search and in the event, the suspect was cornered while escorting the cow in the company of one of his accomplices.

The police boss said that the irate members of the public then pounced on the suspects with beatings. The accomplice managed to escape.

Kimaiyo stated that Okut was rescued from the furious mob by police officers who took him to a nearby dispensary.

He was treated and discharged in a fair condition, the police boss added.

The suspect is in police custody awaiting charges of stock theft while a search for the accomplice is underway.