Reckless recidivist ropes rookie into racket

A backsliding bandit in Kandal province’s Ponhea Leu district, who’d just been released from four months in prison, almost took an accomplice down with him when his latest moto theft went awry on Wednesday. The twosome’s target, a 60-year-old man, said he was having breakfast at a restaurant when he noticed the duo not-so-deftly trying to hotwire his ride. Villagers heeded the victim’s cries for help and handed the suspect over to police, while his luckier collaborator escaped. Nokorwat

Cattle rustlers’ cash cows all confiscated in check

When police stopped three men and two cows trotting through Takeo province’s Tram Kak district on Tuesday, they found the men had no legal documents for the beasts they were taking to Vietnam. Suspecting a case of cattle rustling, the cops arrested two of the men, 41 and 42, while the sprightlier 31-year-old fled. The two arrestees, one a Vietnamese national, confessed to stealing the cows. Police returned the cows to their owner and sent the suspects to court. Koh Santepheap

Victims turn vigilantes in misguided moto theft

Two would-be motorcycle thieves in Phnom Penh’s Sen Sok district on Wednesday clearly didn’t feel like showing a pair of passengers much love ahead of Valentine’s Day. The victims, a 47-year-old and his son-in-law, 21, said the thieves blocked their way, brandishing a cleaver and demanding their moto. But the pair overpowered the thieves and turned one in to police. The other escaped, but his heartless partner gave his name to police, who are now searching for him. Nokorwat

Trip too good to be true for Takeo province teen

It sounded tempting to the 18-year-old student – an all-expenses-paid trip to Phnom Penh, courtesy of a friend, who said all he needed to provide was his motorbike for their trip from Takeo province. But while the student was getting comfortable at their capital guesthouse, his buddy was making off with his bike. After the realisation dawned, the student somehow made his way back to Takeo and filed a complaint. Two months later - on Tuesday - the false friend returned to Takeo and immediately was sent to court. Koh Santepheap

Drunk driver breaks legs in Pursat hit-and-run

A traffic accident in Pursat’s Krakor district left an inebriated 28-year-old with two broken femurs in the early hours of Wednesday. Police said the man was returning from a party, swerving and wobbling all the way, until a truck driving in the same direction toppled him, leaving him unconscious on the road. The truck was gone when police arrived about half an hour later and sent the victim to hospital. Kampuchea Thmey

Translated by Phak Seangly