POLICE BREAK UP AX FIGHT OVER GIN

Police last week arrested two brothers-in-law who were involved in an ax fight that resulted from a dispute over gin. The men, identified as Yin Kea, 43, and Men Sam Ath, 41, were described by police as having been "fairly wounded". The incident occurred in Teuk Chhou district, Kampot province.

KAMPUCHEA THMEY

SUSPECTED ROBBER NABBED AT PAGODA

A reputed serial robber was brought to Kampong Speu provincial court on Monday after being arrested last week behind a pagoda in the province's Samraong Tong district. Police said the suspect, a 27-year-old man named Ty Shophos, had been involved in three prior robberies, adding that they believed he was planning to strike again at the time of his arrest.

RASMEY KAMPUCHEA

THIEVES TAKE TRASH, FORGET BAG OF CASH

Four men robbed a gold-seller at gunpoint in Phnom Penh's Russei Keo district on Tuesday and made off with a bag of rubbish he was carrying. They neglected, however, to take another bag containing 2 million riels (US$483). Police identified the victim as Bun Sophorn, 38.

RASMEY KAMPUCHEA

MEDICINE MAN ACCUSED OF RAPE

A 57-year-old practitioner of traditional medicine was arrested Sunday on suspicion of raping his 42-year-old patient from Kampot province. The medicine man had convinced the victim to seek treatment at his house in Prey Nob district, Preah Sihanouk province, where he allegedly raped her.

RASMEY KAMPUCHEA

POLICE ARREST 3 OF 4 IN HANDBAG THEFT

Police arrested three students suspected of teaming up to steal the handbag of Pol Thim, a 21-year-old woman who was riding on a motorbike taxi. The three students, all male, were identified as Sok Heng, 18; Sok Narran, 17; and Hang Phally, 17. A fourth student accused of involvement in the robbery remains at large.

KOH SANTEPHEAP

POLICE CLAIM ARREST OF THREE ICE DEALERS

Police said they arrested three drug dealers in two different locations with four packages of "ice", or crystal methamphetamine. Police identified one of the men as Son Puthea, a 24-year-old from Sangke district, Battambang province, who said he bought three packages of ice for US$45 and that he planned to sell them for $47. He was arrested Sunday. Police said the other two men - Ra Sat, 25, and Ruob Vira, 26, both from Sangke district's Norea commune - were arrested with small plastic bags of ice on Monday afternoon.

RASMEY KAMPUCHEA