Colorado catches 'thong bandits'

Police say the men stuffed stolen items into a pink rucksack

Colorado police say two suspected robbers dubbed the "thong bandits", after they used women's underwear to disguise themselves, have been caught.

The two men used skimpy underwear as masks, but much of their faces remained visible in a CCTV tape broadcast across the US state.

Nineteen-year-old Joaquin Rico and his 24-year-old alleged accomplice, Joseph R Espinoza, both turned themselves in.

Police in Arvada say the men stole cash and cigarettes from a shop in May.

The two were unarmed but reportedly hit a shop assistant and injured her.

One man wore a green thong and the other wore blue. The garments barely covered the men's features, leaving most of their faces exposed.