Kikuyu OCPD Mutune Maweu has cautioned area residents against punishing suspects through mob justice as they were taking the law into their hands which in itself was a serious offence.
The OCPD issued the stern warning following the lynching of a suspected automotive spare parts thief that occurred in Kikuyu Town on Tuesday.
Accompanied by two other police officers who came to rescue the suspect from the angry mob, the police boss said he appreciates the fact that the locals are keen to fight crime but asked them to follow the law.
He urged them to always report and hand over the suspects to the police to avoid unfair punishment to a person who might be innocent.
“I am asking the public to restrain from taking justice into their hands. One might be found at the crime scene and just find oneself on the wrong side of the law, having committed no other crime except punishing the suspected criminal,” he said.
Maweu told the residents to let the police officers deal with the suspects until their guilt or innocence is proven in a court of law.