ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — Four alleged thieves are now in police custody after they were mobbed by residents and their getaway vehicle set ablaze in Abraham district near Santa Cruz Wednesday morning.

Preliminary reports are that about 5:00 am residents heard a rattling sound coming from a shop and bar and raised an alarm.

Sources say when residents went to investigate the noise, they reportedly caught two men breaking into the establishment. The men were reportedly targeting poker boxes when they were cornered by residents and mobbed.

In 2022, police in St Elizabeth said upscale gaming boxes, including those with touch screen technology, were worth as much as $500,000 each and were in demand, while older versions can be sold for up to $300,000.

During Wednesday’s ordeal, residents also reportedly set ablaze a motorcar used by the men and questioned them as to who their accomplices.

The police were called, and four men were taken into custody.

— Kasey Williams