A would-be German thief has gone from predator to victim when he tried to mug a taxi driver but ended up having his own wallet snatched instead.

Police in the western town of Aldenhoven say a scuffle broke out between the two after the 20-year-old stole the driver's wallet.

They say the cabbie not only recovered his property but also took his attacker's wallet.

The driver then locked himself in his taxi and called the police, who were amazed to find the mugger waiting patiently for them on the curb next to the vehicle when they arrived.

"He wanted his wallet back," a police spokesman said.

After taking the man in for questioning, police released him and returned his wallet.

He faces charges of attempted robbery.

http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/06/20/1957125.htm?section=world