New Delhi, July 27 - An alert passer-by prevented two youths from escaping after he saw them throw chilly powder in the eyes of a goods supplier and snatch his money, police said Monday. The youths have been arrested.

Sunil (20) and Vikas (19) were arrested when they were trying to escape after robbing Ram Avtar Gupta (50) near Modi Mill flyover, a police official said.

A passer-by Vishwajeet Bhati informed police when he saw the youths throw chilly powder in the eyes of Gupta and snatch his money bag at knife point.

When Bhati tried to intervene, the two robbers stopped a man travelling on a motorcycle and tried to escape on his bike.

By this time, a police party also reached the spot, and with the help of Bhati the youths were taken into custody. Police also recovered Gupta's money, Rs.