Mysuru: Catching thieves is not the responsibility of the Police alone and public too can play an important role in nabbing thieves — something what one calls Public Policing. A case of Public Policing was in full display in city yesterday when two students chased a mobile handset thief and caught him. He was given a good thrashing by the public and was handed over to the Police.

Following the Police advise to be alert while moving in public and be on guard for chain-snatchers and mobile phone snatchers, two college students — Pramod, a resident of Mahadevapura and Puttaraju, a resident of Hullahalli in Nanjangud — caught one Riyaz Pasha of Ghousia Nagar at the City Bus Stand.

Pramod and Puttaraju are the students of Kaynes ITI College at Hebbal and as their routine, they were waiting for their bus at the Bus Stand yesterday at around 9.40 am. At one point, Pramod received a phone call on his mobile phone and he was answering the call.

Riyaz Pasha, who was observing that Pramod had an expensive mobile, followed him as he strolled around speaking.

He waited for his moment and snatched the phone and began to run. Recovering from the shock, Pramod, along with Puttaraju, raised an alarm and began chasing the thief. A few passengers too joined the students and chased the thief.

They managed to catch him after giving a chase. Enraged public thrashed the thief and the Police were informed. Devaraja Police team rushed to the spot and took Riyaz Pasha into custody and are investigating. Police suspect that the accused had a hand in several other similar mobile phone snatching incidents.