WASHINGTON TWP — Three Alabama men are accused of taking the law into their own hands at the expense of a suspected tractor thief.

The trio allegedly pummeled and tied up the alleged crook, who ended up at a Pittsburgh hospital in need of treatment for serious head injuries suffered in the altercation last week on Route 38 in Washington Township.

Charged with felony assault are Joseph S. Rice, 21, William H. Robinson, 23, and Jared R. Williams, 23, all of Tuscaloosa. They are all free on $10,000 bail each.

The men are employees of J&R Farms, a Tuscaloosa-based gas pipeline company. The firm is currently working on a project at Smith Farms on Route 38.

Police on Monday also charged the purported thief, Mitchell A. Hilliard, 30, of Washington Township, following his release from the hospital.

Hilliard, who is free on his own recognizance, is facing felony theft and other charges.

Investigators believe the trouble started about 9 p.m. Thursday when a drunken Hilliard made off with a John Deere tractor, owned by J&R Farms, that was at the company’s work site on Route 38.

The defendants from Alabama were headed to work when they spotted Hilliard, who they did not know, driving the company tractor on the road.

The Tuscaloosa threesome followed the tractor a short distance, according to reports. They eventually stopped and Williams told Hilliard to get off the vehicle.

But Hilliard allegedly threw a can of beer at Williams and refused to budge. When Williams tried to force Hilliard off the tractor, a tussle started.

During the fracas, Hilliard is accused of biting Williams’ right forearm. Rice and Robinson soon joined the fray that left Hilliard badly injured.

Police were called for the fight and found Hilliard, who was tied up and had “severe injuries to his head and chest area.” He was taken to Allegheny General Hospital where he was treated and later released.

Troopers also found Williams, who had a bite mark on his arm, and his coworkers.

Rice, Robinson and Williams were arrested and arraigned Friday. They are all charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment.

Hilliard was arraigned Monday on charges of theft, simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment.

At his arraignment before District Judge Lewis Stoughton in Chicora, it was clear that Hilliard’s injuries had not healed. His face was completely swollen and discolored in different shades of black and purple.

Preliminary hearings for the four defendants are set for Aug. 9 at Stoughton’s office.

An unidentified employee who answered a telephone call this morning at J&R Farms said company officials, citing the ongoing criminal case, declined to comment.