Ranchi, Sep 5 - A man was beaten to death after he allegedly stole valuables from three houses in Gumla district of Jharkhand, police said Saturday.

Local residents killed Sosen Kujur at Joradand village of Gumla district, 145 km from state capital Ranchi, late Friday night.

'He (Kujur) was caught when he was trying to escape from the village. The villagers started beating him with sticks and iron rods and threw stones at him. Kujur died on the spot,' a police officer said.

'Police reached the village Saturday and took the body in their possession. We are trying to ascertain the cause of the killing. Villagers claim that Kujur was stealing valuables for sometime now,' the officer added.