Theft ends up as little more than long joyride

A Battambang man learned the hard way that motorbike theft, no matter how clever, rarely pays. Police said that after a 43-year-old man agreed to sell his bike to his mechanic, the new owner asked to take it for a test spin. To the shock of the seller, though likely few

others, the mechanic never returned – instead meeting up with a friend, pawning the bike and spending the loot on booze and karaoke. Police nabbed the cool criminal on his way home on Wednesday night. nokoRwat

Yama users invite their dealers along to prison

Three alleged yama-heads quickly rolled over on their dealers on Wednesday in Kampong Chhnang town. Police said that they were raiding a local home when they burst in on three men allegedly in the act of taking drugs. The men promptly guided cops to the home of their alleged dealers. Sure enough, police found two men, another small package of yama and assorted paraphernalia. In the end, all five were arrested.

Kampuchea Thmey

Collision leaves vendor badly burned by soup

A vender was critically injured by the tools of his trade, hot soup, during a hit-and-run on Monday in Phnom Penh’s Russey Keo district. The soup seller was spooning out street-side bowls the when a truck lost control and went careering into the cart. Though no one was hit, the vendor was doused by his fiery fare and sustained burns all over his body. The driver tried to push on but smashed into a motorbike before hoofing it on foot. Police seized the truck, hospitalised the victim and are hunting for the driver. Nokorwat

Man hospitalised after wall collapses on him

In a tale more befitting the Occupational Health and Safety Blotter, a construction worker was badly injured in Phnom Penh’s Tuol Kork district on Wednesday when a wall he was dismantling dismantled a bit too quickly. According to police, the 29-year-old and his mates were knocking down the last of three walls in an apartment when it toppled onto the victim. His friends leapt into action, digging the man out and saving his life. The victim, however, sustained serious head injuries and was hospitalised. Kampuchea Thmey

Moto valued over friend but arrest not factored in

The going rate for friendship in appears to be $200 in Phnom Penh’s Sen Sok district, where a 23-year-old man from Takeo was taking a ride with his Phnom Penh pal on the friend’s moto on Tuesday when the pair stopped to pick up another chum. The minute his back was turned the Takeo turncoat allegedly sped off on the bike and pawned it for $200. The suspect had little time to enjoy his spoils – after the victim spotted him at a guesthouse, police arrested him and retrieved the bike. Kampuchea Thmey

Translated by Phak Seangly