An attempted bag snatch proved a bitter pill to swallow when an opportunistic customer allegedly tried to pinch a pharmacist’s purse on Tuesday.

Police said the 32-year-old suspect asked the proprietor of the Sen Sok district store to get him some medicine before seizing the chance to snatch her bag.

She called for help and her neighbours piled onto the suspect, beating him mercilessly. Police separated the attackers from the thief and sent him to hospital. DEUM AMPIL