Patrina Pink, Star Writer

Wails and pleas for mercy would not save an alleged thief caught near Clock Tower Plaza in Half-Way Tree last night. Some time before 8 p.m., a man who was heavily scarred both from bleaching and what appears to be an acid attack, had allegedly taken $8,000 from the pockets of a male commuter at the New Kingston bus stop.

"Him mussi feel like seh a true the man a wear glasses him can do anything to him, don't watch the glasses man dem," remarked one man, who appeared to be pleased at the alleged thief's apprehension. Scores of persons followed as the commuter chased the man. His attempt to escape judgement was not to be as he ran right into some policemen at the Half-Way Tree clock.

The policemen carried him to the side of the road to question him but the commuter was not satisfied. He dealt several blows onto the face of the man whose left eye became engorged with blood. Another man also joined in the assault levelling blows to the man's torso. The policemen present did not appear to make any great effort to prevent the beating. After the blows, the wronged commuter insisted that the man had stolen money from his pocket.

A thorough search of the alleged thief's pocket revealed that exact amount. Even when the money was found and everyone present seemed to have pronounced him guilty, the alleged thief still insisted that he was innocent. 'Me wouldn't do something like dat' and 'a nuh me offica, believe me," he cried.

Just as things appeared to have calmed, shouts of 'one more theif' and 'see him fren deh' were heard. The police and several men chased down a dark-skinned man, who was also beaten by the commuter and another man. Individuals in the crowd say that both men were partners in the crime. Both men were carted off by police.