Some late-night amateur sleuthing by an exasperated capital resident caught one petty crook out in the wee hours of yesterday morning.

At his wits end by the continual theft of his car wing mirrors, the man lay in wait near his usual parking spot and waited for the thief to pounce.

When he did so, the car owner hollered for help, resulting in the thief receiving a beating from locals and a free ride to the station from police.

CEN