Three men who stole cash from a restaurant in Malaysia got caught when they returned for a second helping. The culprits grabbed 500 ringgit ($160) from the cash box early Sunday, then came back minutes later to ask for more.

This time they pretended to be local toughs, and offered protection from burglars for 2,100 ringgit ($660) a month, the New Straits Times and The Star reported Monday.

The men thought they had concealed their identities by wearing motorcycle helmets during their first foray, but the owner - who watched the first theft on closed-circuit television - recognized their clothes and called the police, the reports said.

Police cordoned off the restaurant and detained the three suspects, The Star said.

The police officer in charge of the case declined to immediately comment to The Associated Press, saying he would reveal details at a news conference later Monday.