A pair of robbers was arrested by police on Sunday after unsuccessfully trying to rob a jewelry seller at a Preah Sihanouk market.

One of the suspects was badly beaten by bystanders while the other fled the scene after the robbery went awry, Hul Phorsda, Preah Sihanouk town police chief said, adding that if the police had arrived any later the beaten man could have been killed.

“We went to help the suspect; it was a bit late [and] he was seriously injured, because the people could not control their anger. We have prepared a lawsuit and [the suspects] will be charged,” he said.

The suspects had allegedly pretended that they wanted to change money at the stall before pulling out a gun and demanding the seller fill a bag with cash and gold jewelry.

After the seller yelled for help, one of the robbers tried unsuccessfully to fire his gun and was subsequently attacked by locals at the scene.

His accomplice fled on a motorbike and ran into a nearby forest before being arrested.