New Year’s crunch leads to very old-school heist

Khmer New Year is nearly upon us, and with it, the incumbent expenses of travelling to see family and friends. One Kampong Thom couple feeling the pinch decided to alleviate their financial concerns the old fashioned way – by stealing buffalos, four to be exact. Police say they located the buffalo-rustling duo in no time flat after the quartet’s owner shouted for help, as buffalos and quick getaways are mutually exclusive. Busted, the couple admitted the theft, citing the need for New Year cash. Koh Santepheap

K Chhnang guests fight as hard as they party

It just wouldn’t be a full week of blotter without a fight at a wedding. This one happened on Monday in Kampong Chhnang’s Kampong Leng district where, you guessed it, someone stepped on someone else’s foot during a wedding dance. Police say four people were injured in the resulting fracas, which involved not only fisticuffs, but rocks, sending the non-combatant guests into a panic. Police intervention saw the four injured taken first to the hospital, then to the jailhouse. Rasmey Kampuchea

Dealing duo done in by neighbourhood watch

A pair of lovebird dope slingers are behind bars after a Kampot town bust on Tuesday. Police said neighbours dropped the dime after witnessing what they believed to be drug-fuelled shenanigans, prompting cops to stop them while they were out on their moto. A search produced two small drug packages and a confession: they planned to sell it, and it wasn’t the first time either. They’re now awaiting a court date. Rasmey Kampuchea

Prying neighbours prove to be useful once more

A very unhappy holiday was narrowly averted this week in Phnom Penh’s Dangkor district thanks to some helpfully nosy neighbours. Police said a homeowner’s absence provided the perfect opening for a trio of thieves to attempt to break into his home. Fortunately, the alert folks next door saw the mischief afoot and called police, who managed to slap cuffs on two of the miscreants. One managed to escape, but he’s now being sought by police. Kampuchea Thmey

Inattentive muggers beat hasty retreat in capital

Never ones for a fair fight, a trio of capital criminals picked on a solitary victim in Chamkarmon district on Monday. Police say the three hoods were sharing a moto when they spotted their prey driving by himself on a quiet street. They quickly pulled him over and forced him to hand over his cash, only to realise a group of police were witnesses. They bolted as police gave chase, with two escaping and one ending up in custody. Rasmey Kampuchea

Translated by Sen David