Peace at Wat Phnom punctured by thievery

There was certainly no karma earned when bag-snatchers preyed on an unsuspecting pilgrim on Friday at Wat Phnom. Police in Phnom Penh’s Daun Penh district said the female victim was taking a walk around the hallowed hill when four mortal mugs demanded she hand over her purse. The disbelieving dame shouted for help and was heard by patrolling police, who nabbed one of the crooks and sent him off to face the more earthly consequences of his crime. Rasmey Kampuchea

Police raid lands four drug traffickers in court

Fair weather friends and a nosy neighbour left four alleged drug traffickers with nothing but a sinking feeling after a police raid on their drug den. Kampong Cham police raided the criminal cloister on Friday and found a booty of unidentified pills and packaging, with a neighbour confirming the suspect lodgings were used for nefarious means. Other members of the seize-worthy crew jumped ship, while their mates were left to weather the storm in court. Koh Santepheap

Boozed up man lashes out at wife, mum-in-law

A 32-year-old Kandal man was sent to court over the weekend for viciously assaulting his wife and her mother. Police said the savage spouse, from Sa’ang district, had been on the booze when he returned home and laid into his wife, seriously injuring her. The woman’s mother tried to protect her daughter but was also attacked. Neighbours, alerted by bloodcurdling cries, called police, who arrested the drunken drongo and promptly sent him on to court. Kampuchea Thmey

Bitter builders give man a serious bottle-bashing

A construction worker is lucky to be alive after a bloody bottle-inflicted attack by three fellow workers last Saturday. The trio set upon the hapless victim after he apparently cursed them during a mystery melee. The carryings-on of the glass-grasping goons attracted the attention of Chamkarmon district police, who arrested the thuggish threesome and sent the victim to hospital. Kampuchea Thmey

Knife-point robbery catches up with suspect

A light-footed lifter, who crept into a Kampot house and held the sole occupant up with a knife, has been caught four days after the stealing stunt. The 32-year-old thief used a sharpened shiv to silence his victim while helping himself to the household valuables. The terrified resident waited for the creeping crook to scram before crying foul to police, who traced the man in a matter of days. The accused larcenist denies it was he who committed the crime, however. Koh Santepheap

Translated by Sen David