Two motorcycle borne youth, who were attempting to escape after snatching a woman’s gold chain, were caught by the public who beat them up before handing them over to the police in Karamadai, in the rural limits, today.

Twenty seven-year old Subbulakshmi was walking to her relative’s house when the youth on a motor cycle accosted her, police said.

They snatched her gold chain, weighing seven sovereigns, and attempted to escape. However, hearing her screams, the public and passersby chased the youth and managed to catch the duo.

After beating them up, they handed them over to the police. Preliminary interrogation revealed that the duo had stolen the vehicle parked near a theatre. Further investigations were on.