A penniless pilferer was stymied by a group of locals yesterday after stealing a motorbike parked outside the house of the owner’s friend in the capital’s Sen Sok district, which the 28-year-old victim was visiting.

The 19-year-old had successfully gotten hold of the vehicle but was promptly halted by law-abiding locals just 20 metres into his escape.

After his arrest, the delinquent confessed to his wrongdoing but said he was driven to steal because he was strapped for cash.

Nokorwat