Karaoke lover fuels his habit with theft of gas

A man's love of song turned him to the dark world of siphoning earlier this week in Kampot. Police said the man, a former construction worker, was busted for breaking into a restaurant early on Monday morning and taking its supply of gas, which he hid at an empty lot not far away. The scheme was quickly foiled after a call from the restaurant owner to police. Arrested later the same day, the man said he’d been forced to a life of crime as he was jobless and could not afford money to sing karaoke. The man has been sent to court.  Kampuchea Thmey   

Motorbike thieves fail to disguise motorbike

A moto with no plates was the giveaway that ended a successful run for a pair of Phnom Penh motorbike thieves on Tuesday. Police said they gave chase to the two men, 27 and 35, when they attempted to avoid a stop on the plate violation. Upon capture, they were found to be carrying a pistol without a licence and riding a stolen bike. The two confessed to being career bike thieves but not to where they got the gun. Kampuchea Thmey    

Pissed off worker hacks man at construction site   

Police said a 28-year-old construction worker in Kampong Cham’s Chamkar Leu district was critically injured after a drinking session with co-workers on Tuesday when he decided to urinate too near the living quarters of one of his chums. After rejecting the notion that he should find a better place to do his business, one of his co-workers left the scene, only to return with a cleaver, which he used to hack the victim in the stomach. Police are now searching for the hacker, while the hackee is recovering in hospital. Koh Santepheap

Reckless drag race ends up with post collision

A motobike drag race ended in serious injuries on Tuesday night. According to police, three students riding two motorbikes were racing through the streets of the capital’s Dangkor district when one of the bikes crashed into an electrical post, leaving the passenger with critical injuries and the driver with a broken thighbone. Police attributed the accident to the racer’s unwillingness to back down from a challenge.

Koh Santepheap

Gun-toting cads target women on way home

Three less-than-gallant gents relieved two women of their moto and possessions on Tuesday night in the capital’s Russey Keo district. Police said the men began tailing the women on their way home from a visit at a friend’s house before stopping them at gunpoint and robbing them. Police are now on the hunt for the three suspects.  Nokorwat

Translated by Phak Seangly