A bicycle thief who preferred arrest to being double-crossed called police, saying two greedy security guards were extorting money from him, reports Guangzhou Daily.

The out-of-towner said he was caught stealing a bicycle parked at a market last week.

The two security guards took him to an office and promised to let him go for a "private settlement" of 350 yuan (US$42), he said.

He had the requested amount delivered, but the two security guards changed the terms after pocketing the money, asking for more.

The enraged thief picked up the phone and dialled the police hotline, leading to the arrest of all three.

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