An armed robber who stole cash and cigarettes from a petrol station was caught and beaten to death by bystanders, the Star Online news website in Kuala Lumpur has reported.

It said two men on a motorcycle stopped at the petrol station and the pillion rider, who carried a parang, a Malayan machete, ran into the kiosk and stole money and cigarettes from the counter before fleeing.

However, he was chased down by a group of bystanders and beaten up, while his accomplice fled on the motorcycle.

When police arrived, they found the robbery suspect motionless on the ground, with wounds to his head. It is believed he was beaten to death with a rock.

There was no identification on the suspect at the time of the incident. Police said they were conducting a murder investigation.