‘Soldier’ busted by cops with a little friend

Police on Tuesday tried to stop two men riding on a motorbike without a licence plate in the capital’s Sen Sok district, giving chase for about a kilometre before the pair finally gave themselves up. The bike turned out not to be the only thing without a licence when a gun was found on one of the men. He claimed to be a soldier, but police were sceptical of his defence and are still investigating. Kampuchea Thmey

Necklace thief catches a moto he never hailed

A 24-year-old was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly snatching the necklace of a young female university student in Phnom Penh’s well-heeled Tuol Kork district. The young woman was heading home from class when two men on a motorbike sped by and grabbed the necklace. Luckily, brave local motodops stepped in, chasing the men until they came off their bike at an intersection. One managed to escape with the loot but the other  was turned over to police. Koh Santepheap

Drunk cyclist duped by not so generous offer

One Phnom Penh man was clearly never told by his mother not to accept lifts from strangers. According to police, after a drinking session in Chamkarmon district on Tuesday night, the man was too sloshed to ride his own bike home. Three seemingly charitable men appeared, offering to drive him home, which he slurringly accepted. On a quiet road, the men purportedly stopped to relieve their bladders, after which they nicked his bike and $30 in cash before fleeing. Koh santepheap

Moto thief misses key to a successful score

A 23-year-old man was seriously beaten on Monday when caught trying to steal a motorbike. Police said a Por Sen Chey man had parked outside his home when the suspect tried to nick his bike. Alas, the thief could get nowhere without a key and began scuffling with the bike owner after the man noticed what was happening. Luckily, neighbours heard his cries for help and intervened. As per usual, they beat the suspect to a pulp before he was packed off to hospital by police. Koh Santepheap

Security guard shot twice in the line of duty

A young security guard was left with critical injuries yesterday morning when he tried to stop a robbery in Phnom Penh’s Daun Penh district. According to police, a customer had parked outside a restaurant when three suspects, pretending to also be customers, tried to quietly walk his bike away. The security guard tried to stop them but was halted when a gun was drawn. He was shot twice in the leg before the victims sped away on another bike. Police continue to search for the suspects. Koh Santepheap

Translated by Phak Seangly