Thief’s fall not enough for vigilante villagers

A thief quickly plummeted back to earth on Sunday when he fell off a building while trying to escape from the scene of a crime in the capital’s Russey Keo district. Police said the 16-year-old, a security guard, had stolen a purse from the rental room of a 22-year-old female student and was getting away when she screamed for help. Startled, the crafty youngster toppled from a first-floor landing, injuring his head. Villagers evidently thought that wasn’t enough punishment as they beat him unconscious before the police arrived. Koh santepheap

Shootout’s lone victim an innocent bystander

AN UNLUCKY 59-year-old was caught in the crossfire of a gang fight on Saturday in Phnom Penh’s Daun Penh district. According to police, two groups of men were arguing when things turned ugly. As one group tried to get away, they were pursued on a motorbike, whose driver unloaded his weapon four times. He missed the intended targets but caught the bystander – who was walking to get groceries – in the left hand and back. Police are searching for the suspects.  koh santepheap

Drunk, no helmet – what could possibly go wrong?

A PREAH Sihanouk man suspected of drink driving was seriously injured early yesterday morning when his motorbike collided with a tuk-tuk. Police said the man, 37, had been at a party at a friend’s home and was speeding back to his own abode without a helmet when he slammed into an oncoming tuk-tuk. He was hospitalised with serious injuries, including to the head, while the tuk-tuk driver got away with scrapes and bruises.  Nokorwat

Because it’s just not a dance without a machete

DANCING men, as the blotter has chronicled for ages, are a veritable powder keg, with a Kampong Chhnang group the latest to prove the rule. According to police, on Saturday night, an 18-year-old and his friend were drinking and dancing at a pagoda when they stepped on the toes, so to speak, of a trio of young men. In the ensuing argument, the suspects quickly discarded the option of a dance-off and instead hacked the threesome with machetes. The teen was caught but his mate is still on the run.  Kampuchea thmey

Police cry foul while thief pleads poverty

A WOMAN with a disabled husband who claimed the family could not even afford to buy milk for their baby was arrested on Saturday after stealing food in the capital. Prampi Makara district police said the woman pinched a bag of food from a market vendor, who spotted her and yelled for help. The woman admitted the crime to police but explained her story of helplessness, which police say they are now trying to verify.  Nokorwat

Translated by Phak Seangly