Man sends his allegedly criminal cousins to court

They say you can’t choose your relatives, but one man is now wishing he had new cousins. Police said the Kampong Speu resident had lent his moto to his aunt’s offspring after being told they needed it to attend a wedding. Days – and a police report – later, he learned the truth. It had been pawned for $100 that was then spent on two nights of karaoke goodness. The thieving duo promised to redeem the bike from the pawn shop but the victim decided a visit to the judge on Monday might do them some good.  Nokorwat

Vengeful teen has axe to grind with past attackers

A grudge-vearing teen is sitting in jail after carrying out a revenge attack in the capital’s Meancheay district last week. Police said the 17-year-old, who had been beaten up only weeks earlier by the victim and his friends, had been nursing his wounds – and sharpening his axe. On Monday he walked up to his 19-year-old rival at the home where he was selling gasoline, produced the axe he’d been hiding in his jacket and hacked him in the head and stomach before fleeing. Police arrested him the same day and he quickly confessed.  Nokorwat

Robbed med student left with own wounds to tend

A medical student moonlighting as a motodop rolled straight into a set-up on Monday. Police said the 25-year-old had picked up two men allegedly headed to meet their wives at a local market in the capital’s Por Sen Chey district when they directed him to a spot where two accomplices were waiting. The foursome then proceeded to punch and kick the victim as they snatched the bike. His cries for help brought nearby police to the scene, but they were only able to arrest one of the quartet; the other three escaped on the stolen moto.  Deum Ampil

‘Buyer’ sneaks a phone from shop, gets busted

A young phone shopper haggling over a $220 mobile phone at a Daun Penh district market on Monday decided to opt for the old five-fingered discount instead. Police said he pretended to examine the phone, then bolted when the shopkeep was busy with other customers. He didn’t get far, however. The store owner’s cries brought police, who chased down the thief and arrested him at a traffic light a kilometre away.  Kampuchea Thmey

Truck driver seriously injured in hit-and-run

Police are looking for a hit-and-run driver after a nasty accident on Sunday in Poipet. Police said the man was attempting to pass a home-made truck when a truck coming fast in the opposite direction caused him to pull back into the right lane too soon and crash into the smaller vehicle. Fearing a mob might form the driver fled the scene, while the truck driver was sent to hospital with a serious head injury and is said to be in a poor condition.  Nokorwat

Translated by Phak Seangly