A Phnom Penh car owner was met with an unusual sight late on Tuesday night: four thieves attempting to detach the wheels from his car.

The piecemeal car thieves attempted to flee when he interrupted their midnight tyre misappropriation, but the least fleet-footed member of their merry band was caught by the irate owner and given a sound thumping before being handed over to the cops.

Those who escaped will no doubt be treading lightly.

Kampuchea Thmey