COPS FOIL ROBBERY, LOOT STILL MISSING

A group of four men were arrested after allegedly robbing a barber in Phnom Penh and threatening him with a cleaver. Police said the robbery happened Monday at around 1am when the barber was talking with his friends. The suspects robbed the man, then attempted to make an escape, police said. However, they threw away their stolen loot in panic when they realised that they were being chased by police officers. The barber was unable to locate US$30 and a ring that had been stolen in the robbery. He did, however, manage to locate his mobile phone. Police say the suspects have confessed to the robbery and have been sent to Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

KAMPUCHEA THMEY

POLICE THWART MONKEY BUSINESS

Authorities in Kampong Speu province hope they have managed to solve the mysterious disappearances of monkeys at a local sanctuary popular with tourists. In recent weeks, monkeys have been vanishing one after the other, local police report, leaving no clues as to their whereabouts. On Monday, police arrested a 26-year-old Takeo man after he was caught with hunting tools and lures. Police said the man confessed to hunting the monkeys with the intention of selling them to foreign buyers, adding that the man was the first person arrested for stealing monkeys at that location.

KOH SANTEPHEAP

WOMAN ROBBED NEAR ROYAL PALACE

Two 17-year-old students were arrested after they allegedly snatched a handbag from a foreign woman in front of the Royal Palace on Sunday. Police said the woman was riding a three-wheeled motorbike down the boulevard in front of the Royal Palace when her bag was snatched. After she shouted for help, the alleged thieves apparently dropped the stolen handbag and fled for their lives. They were soon apprehended by security guards, however, and turned over to the local police station, where they confessed to the theft, police said.

DEUM AMPIL

ATTEMPTED RAPE CHARGE FOR HUGGER

Police in Kampong Cham province have arrested a 24-year-old man on suspicion of attempting to rape a woman during a wedding. The bride’s older sister told police that the suspect was glancing at her while she was dancing. Later, she said, the suspect, by then drunk, tried to hug and kiss her while she was asleep. She shouted for help once she realised that the hugger was not her husband, police said.

DEUM AMPIL