Call me, maybe? Phone swiper apprehended

A 39-year-old woman winding her way through a market in Phnom Penh’s Chamkarmon district on Tuesday had her mobile phone swiped from her purse. The 20-year-old swindling suspect allegedly shadowed the victim into a clothing stall and feigned that she too was on a quest for a costume. Police said she filched the phone and fled on a motorcycle. The victim reported the larceny to police immediately and the suspect was arrested 30 minutes after. Allegedly, she had also stolen two other phones from markets around Phnom Penh. Nokorwat

Escape vehicle woes stop bag-snatchers

Two young bag-snatchers were arrested on Tuesday in Phnom Penh’s Daun Penh district after they crashed their escape vehicle in a panicked frenzy. Police said a 25-year-old woman was homeward bound with her husband on a motorcycle after a market trip when the suspects, 19 and 22 years old, nobbled the victim’s handbag. However, her husband turned the bike around and chased the thieves, whose motorcycle walloped into an oncoming car. Police arrested the pair and returned the bag. Nokorwat

Prostitute, flatmate brawl over husband

A vicous catfight arose between a 38-year-old prostitute and her 40-year-old flatmate on Tuesday in Phnom Penh’s Tuol Kork district. Jealousy consumed the flatmate, who accused the concubine of seducing her husband. The prostitute then seized a cleaver and hacked the victim in the right arm. She was hopitalised and the suspect was arrested, confessing to the allegation. Police conceded the women had brawled before. Rasmei Kampuchea

Addict lights one up

A drug-addled 27-year-old man from Banteay Meanchey’s Serei Soaphoan town allegedly set a house alight on Friday while its owners were toiling away on a farm. The conflagration consumed the home. The suspect escaped but was spotted close to the scene by witnesses. Police arrested the apparent pyromaniac and sent him to court. Nokorwat

BFFs no more after drunken beatdown

Police arrested a 34-year-old man on Wednesday after a booze-fuelled night led to a rancorous fight between him and a friend in Takeo’s Kirivong district. Police said on Tuesday night the two mates argued, with the suspect wielding a wooden stick and bashing the victim until he was critically injured. The victim’s family reported the incident to police, who captured the suspect the following day. Police could not decipher why the two friends had argued. Rasmei Kampuchea

Translated by Phak Seangly