Merciless robber duo leaves guard dog dead

Another vigilant pooch was lost to poison over the weekend, an all-too-familiar blotter occurrence of late, as a Stung Treng couple took out man’s best friend in a bid to rob the house it was protecting. Despite successfully poisoning the loyal mutt, the operation didn’t go to plan, according to police, who said the homeowner chased them down and administered a sound thrashing. The duo admitted the crime to the cops, adding that they had planned to sell the dispatched dog as food. Kampuchea Thmey

Five men try to finance boozing with cow theft

A powerful thirst led a group of five men in Kratie town to turn to cattle-rustling on Saturday. Police said the quintet were hoping to throw themselves a little rice wine bash but lacked the funds - a situation they remedied by stealing a pair of cows from a neighbour and selling them for two million riel (about $500). Unfortunately for the would-be booze hounds, police crashed the party after a complaint was filed. They managed to arrest three, but the other two escaped. The cows apparently have yet to be returned. Koh Santepheap

Trigger-happy drinker causes commotion

A 48-year-old Dangkor district man spent several hours drinking on Saturday before deciding it was time to bust a cap in the air. Police said the man, who had been drinking rice wine with a friend, provided no rationale for his action other than claiming to be “nervous”. No one was injured but, citing the deleterious effects of gunfire on public order, police arrested the man and seized his gun. Rasmey Kampuchea

Warring teenage gangs battle in the capital

It was like a scene out of West Side Story, minus the catchy tunes but with the addition of swordplay. Police said two gangs of high-schoolers took over a stretch of public road in the capital’s Daun Penh district for an all-out rumble on Saturday, sending neighbours scurrying and calling for help. The kids, who attacked one another with fists, rocks and the aforementioned swords, predictably scattered, and the cops nabbed only four of them. Questioning failed to elicit the cause of the quarrel, but cops said it wasn’t the first time the two groups had gone at it. Kampuchea Thmey

Cops save stroller from axe-wielding robbers

A walk from home to the market took a frightening turn for a Russey Keo man on Sunday as three hooligans confronted him with an axe and a demand for his money. The man decided to part with his cash but ended up keeping both his money and his life as cops had been watching the scene unfold. One of the miscreants managed to escape, but two are awaiting a date with the judge. Koh Santepheap

Translated by Sen David