Man shot as robbers escape with handbag

A couple was injured and robbed of two million riel (US$500) in the capital’s Por Sen Chey district on Friday. Police said the two suspects trailed the couple’s car on their motorcycle as they drove home from their pork stall at the market. When the wife, 29, got out of the car to open her gate, one of the men grabbed her handbag. In the ensuing scuffle, he hit her once on the head with his gun. When he tried to escape on the waiting moto, the woman’s husband, 32, tried to wrest the handbag back but was shot in the left hand. The suspects escaped and police are searching for them. Kampuchea Thmey

Traffic cop’s assistant accused of hitting man

A traffic police official’s assistant is accused of punching a 28-year-old motodop in the head in Banteay Meanchey province’s Poipet town on Friday. The victim said he had parked his motorcycle illegally, prompting the assistant to confiscate his moto. When the driver tried to get it back, the two men argued and the assistant assaulted him before escaping, the driver said. Koh Santepheap

Woman distracts as boyfriend takes moto

A Vietnamese woman, 50, was arrested for assisting in the theft of a motorcycle in Takhmao town, in Kandal province, on Wednesday. Police said the woman and her boyfriend were negotiating to buy the motorcycle for US$550 from its owner, 52. During the test ride, the boyfriend fled with the motorcycle. The woman claimed she did not have enough money to pay and that she did not know the whereabouts of her boyfriend.  Koh Santepheap

Police arrest three, seize drugs in raid

Police in Poipet town, in Banteay Meanchey province, have arrested three men aged 20, 28 and 29 for alleged drug distribution and use. Police said they were tipped off by residents and raided the house, confiscating a package of yama and tools for using drugs. One of the men claimed he was not involved and asked to be released. The three men have been questioned and sent to the provincial court for further investigations. Koh Santepheap

Passenger tries to strangle taxi driver

A taxi driver said a passenger  attacked and robbed him in the capital’s Russei Keo district on Monday. The victim, 44, said the passenger tried to strangle him with a piece of string when he stopped the car. The driver managed to escape the car and run away. The man tried to run him over with the taxi, but the victim tumbled into a canal. The robber made off with the taxi, three mobile phones and US$40. Koh Santepheap