A 33-year-old man must have thought he’d struck it rich when he allegedly successfully coerced two victims into handing over their cash after threatening them with a half-metre samurai sword in the capital on Tuesday.

Despite his death-or-glory deed, the wretched robber’s plan was foiled when he ran into patrolling police while making his escape.

The miserable mugger is now awaiting his trial at Phnom Penh Municipal Court as the police prepare the necessary documents.

Koh Santepheap