Denied a seat on the getaway bike in favour of the stolen goods, a Phnom Penh thief was left to take the rap – and beating – for his two chums.

Returning to his house in Meanchey district yesterday to find a strange bike parked outside, a local homeowner shouted for help.

Two of the culprits managed to hop on the scooter with a sack of loot and escape.

But their pal was pounced on by the bystanders and given a thrashing before cops came to take him downtown.

The owner says only some clothes and phone chargers were nicked.

Koh Santepheap