Ghost made me do it, sword-wielder claims

An enraged 26-year-old was arrested after destroying several of his neighbours’ belongings with a sword on Monday. Police said the crazed-looking man laid into the frightened neighbours’ motorcycle and door, among other items, before he was arrested. When questioned by police, the man said he was unaware of what he did, attributing his actions to possession by a ghost. Because the sword-swinger had not harmed anyone, police released him, and his family paid the neighbours compensation to placate them. Koh Santepheap

Birds detained in police swoop: no cock and bull

Five men were arrested in Phnom Penh’s Meanchey district when police broke up a cockfight on Monday. After being alerted by a neighbour about the illegal betting going on next door, police were able to arrest the spectators before any could escape. Police took three fighting cocks into custody, while the five men were sent to court. Koh Santepheap

Police pick up signals as thieves eye 50 phones

Three robbers in Pailin town thought themselves lucky when they found a jackpot of about 50 phones in an empty house on Tuesday, but police patrolling the area swooped in before the thieves could make off with the booty. The men attempted to escape but were arrested and sent to court. Police said the house belonged to a vendor who planned to sell the phones at the market. Kampuchea Thmey

Man welcomed back with unwelcomed hack

Upon his return home after a two-month absence, a resident of Oddar Meanchey’s Samraong district was welcomed back on Monday with a sword attack. The attacker was the brother of a man whom the prodigal son had beaten up before leaving the village two months before. The unsuspecting returnee had joined other villagers at a party when the bitter brother engaged him in battle, frightening the party-goers. Police arrested both slightly injured combatants. Kampuchea Thmey

Necks to nothing gained from jewellery snatch

A necklace-snatching incident in Phnom Penh’s Dangkor district left the victim with a sore neck and the two suspects in court on Tuesday. Police said that while the victim was walking home, the two thieves whizzed by her on a moto and yanked away her necklace, injuring her neck. When the crooks realised they had police on their tail, they tossed the necklace, but the cops nabbed them and sent them to court, while the victim was taken for medical care. Rasmey Kampuchea

Translated by Sen David at [email protected]