Rabat - Police in Casablanca rescued a thief who was under the attack of dozens of angry locals that were taking justice in their own hands on Saturday.
According to local authorities, the thief assaulted a school girl and snatched her smartphone in the district of Bournazel, Casablanca.
The victim was reportedly screaming and asking for help as the thief tried to run away. Since the incident happened near a crowded street, a group of young passersby ran over to beat the mugger and defend the victim.
Local police rushed to the scene and fortunately for the alleged thief, he was quickly rescued ; otherwise, he would have been beaten, Le360 said.
The thief was reportedly brought to the police station Saturday night where he remains in custody until further investigation.
Earlier this year, two thieves were killed within one month by angry mobs that punished them for stealing. On July 16, a crowd at a weekly market in Midelt, beat an alleged thief to death.
One week later, another thief was lynched to death by an angry mob in Casablanca, after he was caught stealing.
These incidents outraged Moroccan social media users who took on to Facebook to denounce this rising pattern of mob attacks seeking justice on their own, instead of reporting the incidents to the proper authorities.
Head of Government Abdelilah Benkirane warned Moroccans against such acts. He stressed in a previous statement that authorities will show no tolerance towards people who encroach the prerogatives of the state and wish to do justice by themselves.
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