Image caption The two men left the body in their car as they drank and ate at bars and a strip club

Two US men face charges in Denver for allegedly driving around with the body of a friend after discovering him dead.

The pair bought drinks, dinner and took $400 (£253) from Jeffrey Jarrett's bank, visiting a strip club before reporting his death, police said.

Robert Young, 43, and Mark Rubinson, 25, are charged with identity theft, criminal impersonation and abuse of a corpse.

Jarrett was pronounced dead at home in Denver after the 28 August incident.

The cause of death is not currently known, with police saying the results of toxicology tests may not be available for several weeks.

'Bizarre and unfortunate'

Mr Young discovered Jarrett's body on 27 August 2011 when he arrived at his friend's home after being offered the chance to stay there for a while, according to a statement of probable cause released by Denver police.

Instead of calling the police, though, he went to the restaurant where Mr Rubinson worked.

This isn't anything you want to have happen to a loved one Sonny Jackson, Denver Police Department

The two men, both friends with Jarrett, put his body in the back seat of Mr Rubinson's car and took it to Teddy T's and Sam's No 3 - both bars in Denver - before taking the body back to Jarrett's home.

They continued to Viva Burrito, a Mexican restaurant, and Shotgun Willie's, a strip club in nearby Glendale.

At Shotgun Willie's they also withdrew $400 from Jarrett's account, although court documents do not make clear whether either of the men knew Jarrett's PIN number.

The two men stayed at Shotgun Willie's until closing time, and reported Jarrett's death to the police at around 04:00 in the morning.

Denver Police Department spokesman Sonny Jackson called the incident a "bizarre and unfortunate crime".

He added: "This isn't anything you want to have happen to a loved one. You want them treated with respect in death."

The two men have been released from custody on bail, and are due in court in late September and early October.