Farmers hold thief hostage for ransom
( 2003-09-17 16:47) (China Daily)
A man who was held hostage by
farmers for stealing sheep has been rescued by police, reports Guangzhou Daily.
Rao was passing a village in Wuhua on July 23 when he spied two unguarded
sheep in a field. But he was caught trying to take the sheep by their owner and
fellow villagers, police said. Convinced that Rao must have been responsible for
previous thefts in the village, the angry farmers decided to make him pay for
their losses.
After beating him, three farmers, including the owner of the sheep, held Rao
hostage on a nearby mountain. Then they ordered him to sign a note saying he
would pay them 10,000 yuan (US$1,200) in compensation, after which they called
Rao's family asking for the money.
Police searched the mountain after receiving the kidnapping report. Rao was
saved but only one of his abductors was arrested.
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