Masked bandits put on a show for robbed man

Three melodramatic thieves donning theatrical masks robbed a man of his moto in Phnom Penh on Monday, breaking and entering into his Dangkor district home. The victim, sitting in solitude, squealed in shock when the three bandits kicked down his door, pulling out guns. While the men fled with the motorcycle, police investigations have hit a brick wall and the crooks are still on the loose. The victim was uninjured. Koh Santepheap

Police officer lives above the influence of drugs

A group of guileful drug traffickers dropped their guard in Kampong Cham’s Tbong Khmum district on Monday, allowing police to swoop on the syndicate. After monitoring the criminals for weeks, police officers were chuffed when one of their own was offered drugs. Arresting the trio immediately, they were even more pleased when they discovered the offenders had oodles of drugs strapped to their bodies. The sheepish suspects admitted the crimes and were sent to court. Deum Ampil

Thief learns to keep her hands to herself

A blithe pedestrian, en route to an entertainment centre in Phnom Penh’s Sen Sok district, fell prey to a cunning crook on Monday, with her purse pilfered from her pocket. The delinquent, an 18-year-old female, fled the scene with the prize, while the damsel in distress shouted for help. Realising she could not outrun the cops, the fabulist tossed the cash to the floor, feigning innocence. Yet the victim remembered her face, and police have sent her to court. Kampuchea Thmey

Absent-minded lad nearly loses wheels

A lackadaisical lad from Phnom Penh’s Russey Keo district had a close shave on Monday when he left the keys in his motorcycle outside his house. Two resourceful swindlers pounced on the bike; however, police witnessed the theft and chased down the male suspects, who were sent to court. Rasmey Kampuchea

Driver denies wrong in traffic smash-up

A 27-year-old clothes seller was tragically killed on Monday in Phnom Penh’s Meanchey district, slammed into by a 47-year-old man in a car. The victim died instantly at the scene, yet the driver denied the accident was his fault, rather blaming the victim. Police questioned the man and said they had “found a solution” for the deceased victim. Koh Santepheap

Translated by Sen David