A would-be break-in artist should have brought more than an axe to deal with the vigilantes in the capital’s Tuol Kork district on Thursday.

Police said the 30-year-old thought no one was home when he took the edged instrument to the door.

Little did he know, the homeowner was inside watching on CCTV.

He called for help, and a mob assembled at record speed and bashed the suspect senseless before police could extricate him. He’s now been sent to court.

Deum Ampil