By Rasbert Turner , Star Writer

Spanish Town

A man accused of being a mango thief is now hospitalised after he was shot and injured by the owner of the mangoes he had allegedly stolen, THE STAR understands.

The man, who police say was one of four men accused of stealing mangoes from the owner's farm, was shot after they were reportedly confronted by the farmer who is a licensed firearm holder.

Police reports are that about 9 a.m. last Monday, the owner of the mango farm, which is located along Old Harbour Road, St. Catherine, saw four men with several containers of mangoes he identified and claimed were stolen from his farm.

The police say the farmer demanded that the fruits be returned and picked up one of the containers with the fruit placed it inside his vehicle. He was about to take up another when three of the men held on to him.

A struggle ensued, the police say, during which one of the men was shot in the side and the other men fled. The injured man was taken to hospital where he was admitted in serious condition.

Detective Sergeant Paul Thomas of the Spanish Town CIB said the police have received statements from the licensed firearm holder and have commenced a thorough investigation into the matter.

He said while he is not sure as yet if charges will be laid against the injured man as they are still investigating the issue of the stolen mangoes, the farmer's licensed firearm has been seized for ballistics testing and a file on the matter has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecution for him to make a ruling.