Three people, two of whom were disguised as women, were arrested for attacking and attempting to rob a grocery worker in the Jazan province, a local newspaper said.

The victim was taken to a hospital after sustaining deep wounds to his head and bruises on different parts of his body as a result of the attack by the three-member gang, sabq.org online paper reported.

The grocery worker told investigators that three people had come into the store, located in a village near Al-Aridhah, and asked him about certain items while he was on duty.

As he turned his back to fetch the items, the three attacked him and tried to muzzle his mouth, but he resisted. The three fled in a small car, but the victim could not catch the license plate in time, the paper said.

On receiving the report of the attempted robbery, Maj. Gen. Salih Al-Duwaisi, commander of the Jazan police, ordered a search, which led them to the criminals and the car they had used to flee the scene. Neighbors told investigators that the three had sped off in a Toyota Camry.

The car owner was called to the police center and investigation revealed that the car had been driven by another person, who was later arrested and confessed that he, along with two accomplices, had planned the incident on the condition that they disguise themselves as women in order not to arouse suspicion when they entered into the store, the paper said.