Party pooping fighters ruin Khmer New Year

A careless caress set off a bloody melee between two groups of “gangsters” at a Khmer New Year party at a pagoda in Takeo province’s Trang district on Sunday. According to police, one of the ne’er-do-wells brushed the cheek of his rival’s girlfriend on the dance floor, prompting the two groups to square off and throw down in a rock-throwing, axe-wielding scrum. Residents called for police, who only arrived in time to catch two of the suspects. Police are still looking for the other brawlers. Rasmey kampuchea

Walls of local pagoda used as cover in theft

Yet another pagoda was put to nefarious purposes on Saturday when a thief in Phnom Penh’s Dangkor district used the place of prayer as a hiding spot after stealing a motorbike parked near the ice factory where he worked. According to police, the victim reported his moto stolen, prompting a long search. Police almost gave up when they ducked inside the pagoda, spying the alleged moto-jacker. The suspect reportedly confessed. Koh santepheap

Battambang woman is busted in drug arrest

An alleged drug dealer in Battambang town was taken down by a ticked-off tipster on Monday. Police said a neighbour had dropped the dime on the 39-year-old woman, accusing her of selling drugs in a local guesthouse. The cops came to crash the party, and caught the suspect with 300 drug tablets in the raid. The suspect reportedly confessed to the crime, telling police that it was not the first time she’d pushed pills. Rasmey kampuchea

Good samaritan injured after intervening in fight

One Battambang town resident found out the bad way on Monday that no good deed goes unpunished. According to police, the victim saw a group of drunks duking it out in the street, and tried to break up the brawl. The warring factions, however, seemingly forgot their squabble and focused their pummelling on the peacemaker. By the time police arrived, all the suspects had escaped. The cops took the victim to the hospital and are now seeking the suspects. Kampuchea Thmey

Police leap to rescue of lady robbed with knife

A mundane walk home from the market took a turn for the harrowing for one Kratie town woman on Saturday. Police said the young lady was passing through a quiet spot when two men leapt out, one carrying a knife, demanding money. The victim quickly agreed to fork over the cash, but was saved at the last minute when policemen spotted the crime in progress. The cops gave chase and caught one of the suspects. Koh santepheap

Translated by Sen David