Impersonation

POLICE in Dangkor district have arrested a 24-year-old university student for impersonating the nephew of Phnom Penh police chief Touch Naruth. Dangkor district police chief Born Samnang said yesterday that district traffic police arrested the student on Russian Federation Boulevard after he tried to avoid a traffic fine by passing himself off as a relative of the city’s top cop.

“The student was not wearing a helmet while he was riding his motorbike, which did not have a rear mirror or licence plate number. He also showed bad behaviour with our police,” he said.

When traffic police attempted to confiscate his vehicle in line with national traffic laws, Born Sam Ath said the student told officers that they would have to return the motorbike because of his privileged relation with National Police Chief Touch Naruth.

Born Samnang said late yesterday that the student, along with his motorbike, has been detained temporarily at the Dangkor district police station and that officials were currently preparing to send him to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

“[He] was accused of defaming Phnom Penh Police Chief Touch Naruth, who has called for police to arrest anyone who defames him,” he said.