The St Ann police on Monday condemned the mob attack of two accused cattle thieves who were chopped to death by residents of Watt Town in the parish.

According to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dwight Powell, at 10:30 am, a group of men – who were travelling in two separate vehicles – were seen in the Gibraltar community in Watt Town stealing cattle.

A mob quickly assembled and intercepted the alleged thieves, resulting in the chopping deaths of two of the men. They were taken to the Alexandria Hospital where they were pronounced dead.

The men in the second vehicle escaped the mob and fled the area.

READ: Alleged cow thieves killed by mob in St Ann

SSP Powell told OBSERVER ONLINE that the vehicle in which the deceased were travelling is now in police custody. The vehicle reportedly had the carcasses of goats and a bull.

Police say they suspect the value of the stolen animals is well over $1 million.

The St Ann Commanding Officer went on to condemn the actions of the Watt Town residents.

“I must remind the residents of St Ann that mob killing is still murder and we condemn these kinds of incidents. We have been working assiduously with the farmers in these rural communities and on a weekly basis, we are in touch with them ensuring and giving them vital security tips to secure their possessions so this matter will be vigorously investigated and those persons that are responsible — when they are identified — will be brought to answer to the offence of murder,” SSP Powell said.

He added that residents should cooperate with law enforcement officials to secure lives, property and livestock.

The identities of the deceased men are still not known at this time.