Sword-swinging students schooled by capital cops

A post-school study sess-ion turned ugly, then into a full-scale rumble, in Siem Reap town on Saturday. Police said an argument between two students was taken to the next level when one cursed the other’s mother. Within moments, both had gathered reinforcements and a wild melee involving Blotter’s favourite weapon, the ubiq-

uitous “samurai sword”, was launched in the middle of a public street. Police eventually arrived, arresting 10 of the young hoodlums and noting that although they were technically students, they didn’t seem to study all that hard. Koh Santepheap

Habitual harrier of R Keo market-goers collared

The capital got just a little safer for purses and their owners on Sunday with the arrest of a serial bag-snatcher in a Russey Keo market. Police said the 22-year-old was run down and detained by a security guard after grabbing a rice vendor’s purse and taking off with the $200 inside. Once in custody, the suspect quickly admitted he frequently worked the market scene looking for potential victims. Rasmey Kampuchea

Tryst takes a twist for would-be Casanova

A trip down lovers’ lane left one Kampong Cham man poorer for the experience on Saturday. Police said the 25-year-old had taken his lady love to a secluded spot for romance when two thugs materialized and demanded he turn over his jewellery. With no one in shouting distance and a knife in his face, the man wisely turned over his ring and necklace. Police are now investigating.   Deum  Ampil

Goons go gangland in beatdown on debtor

An unpaid debt resulted in a man being beaten unconscious in Banteay Meanchey’s Sisophon district on Sunday. Police said neighbours repor-ted seeing a group of suspects enter the man’s home just before they found him lying in the yard behind his house. Although the men took off in the aftermath, the victim’s wife said she knew who they were because her husband owed them money. Police are now investigating.   Kampuchea Thmey

Unsuspecting dealer’s week ruined by raid

A YOUNG drug dealer heading out the door for a day’s work stepped straight into a raid on Sunday in Phnom Penh. Police said the bust, which had been planned for some time, netted two packages of drugs and the man’s arrest, although compatriots believed to be sharing the same flat were able to escape. The accused dealer has been sent to court. Koh Santepheap

Translated by Sen David