Bystanders in Kampong Cham attempted to knock some sense into a would-be motorbike thief on Friday but only succeeded in beating him senseless.

The suspect, 23, saw an opportunity in an unattended motorbike a grocer parked outside a market while he grabbed lunch, police said.

When the grocer saw a man trying to break the lock, he shouted for help. Villagers responded by beating him unconscious.

Police arrested the man, who allegedly confessed. They also asked villagers not to injure suspects. NOKORWAT