In a case that occurred in Khandya in the taluk on Thursday, the villagers themselves beat up a thief and later handed him over to the police. Manju (25), who was beaten up is now in police custody.  It is said that he was involved in the thefts which occurred in the houses of Chandravalli estate writer and Kadabagere Azeez Ahmed Bava. On hearing autorickshaw drivers speaking about the theft case in the house of Chandravalli estate writer on Wednesday, Maju started running away from the scene, which evoked suspicion. Though he escaped that day, he was spotted again the next day at Khandya and was beaten up. Alduru police are investigating the case.