Arson suspect mentally unstable, police say

A 22-year-old man set a house on fire on Monday in Banteay Meanchey’s Mongkol Borei district. All the residents of the house had been to Thailand for work, the police said, and they didn’t know the arson suspect. The house was heavily damaged but the fire didn’t spread to neighbouring dwellings. The alleged arsonist tried to escape, but police arrested him. Police said that the suspect seemed to be mentally unstable and they detained him while they investigate. Deum AMpil

Two friends boozing leads to heavy bruising

A 20-year-old hacked his friend three times with an axe after a drinking session on Sunday in Battambang’s Ek Phnom district. The pair were drinking together when they had an argument that erupted into a fight. The neighbours were shocked when they saw the bloodshed at the scene and sent the victim to hospital. The attacker was arrested and sent to court. Rasmey Kampuchea

Burglars caught while trying to rob a house

Two men failed to break into a house on Sunday in Phnom Penh’s Tuol Kork district. Even worse for the burglars, police officers happened to be on patrol nearby when the poorly timed attempt at burglary was taking place. The family was out for the weekend, and police spotted the duo as they tried to break the lock. The suspects were immediately arrested and sent to court. Kampuchea Thmey

Bag snatched by two men on motorbike

A 32-year-old woman suffered a bag snatching on Sunday in Phnom Penh’s Chamkarmon district. The woman was waiting for her husband at a local market when two men on a motorcycle grabbed the bag, which contained a large amount of cash. She shouted for help but no one came. The woman then filed a complaint with police, but she could not identify the faces of the suspects because they were wearing helmets. Deum AMpil

Thieves try to flee but cops nab them easily

Three men allegedly robbed a house on Saturday but were arrested the next day in Battambang’s Mong Russey district. The owner said he was robbed at gunpoint. They took a TV set, phone, cash and jewellery. Police identified the robbers and arrested them on Sunday. Koh Santepheap

Translated by Phak Seangly