Sayyiduna Safwan bin Umayyah (may Allah be pleased with him) related that a thief came to him while he was asleep and pulled his cloak out from under him. He woke up, seized him and brought him to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered that his hand be cut off, and it was cut off. He said: O Messenger of Allah, I have forgiven him. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Why did you not do this before you brought him to me? When a hadd punishment reaches the ruler, he carries it out."
Hadith Referenceالمعجم الكبير للطبراني / باب الصاد / 7303