Three thieves were beaten to death when they entered a house to steal in Henggang Village in Houjie Town of Dongguan in Guangdong Province on Monday afternoon, reports Guangzhou Daily.

The accident took place at about 2:30 pm when the three suspects entered a local three-storey house. They were found and captured by the owner of the house surnamed Yin.

The three were heavily beaten by Yin in his house before they were taken outside where security guards of the village, who used wooden rods and stones, continued beating them.

The beating lasted for more than an hour until the three died at about 3:30 pm. The deaths have raised great controversy among local residents and local legal experts.

Most local residents supported tough action as a deterrent.

But legal experts said the villagers who were involved in beating the suspects violated the laws and would be prosecuted. Local police have launched an investigation.

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