Hasty getaway? There’s no app for that

The theft of an iPhone sparked a mass pursuit by motodops and police in Phnom Penh’s Prampi Makara district on Tuesday. The unus-ual alliance was formed after two high-school students allegedly snatched the iPhone from a Chinese man riding on the back of a moto with his wife. The crime mobilised police and nearby drivers, who chased the teenage thieves for half an hour before nabbing them. The precious phone was returned to its owner, and the pair went to court. Nokorwat

Real friends don’t let friends steal and drive

A Phnom Penh mechanic made a citizen’s arrest on a former friend on Monday, after spotting the man riding the moto he stole from him. The 20-year-old allegedly asked to borrow the bike to visit a relative in Kandal province last week, then rode off, never to return. The victim kept an eye out for his wheels and, sure enough, spotted them ferrying his awol friend around Phnom Penh’s Sen Sok district. After arresting him, he turned him over to police, who sent the alleged thief to court. Nokorwat

Juvenile antics spark neighbourhood concern

Four men making their own fun by letting sparks fly from their moto’s kick-stand as it dragged along the street were pursued by police in Kampot’s Teuk Chhou district on Monday. Bystanders found the antics somewhat less amusing, and police said the performance ruined the road surface and frightened residents. Two of the juvenile drag racers were caught, but their mates raced away. Koh Santepheap

Scamming scavenger scoops scads, absconds

A scavenger frustrated by his paltry finds decided to turn to collecting items that had yet to be discarded. The 29-year-old allegedly broke into a shop in Phnom Penh’s Por Sen Chey district and fingered an electric lamp, loudspeakers and wire. He then tried selling his finds to another shop, but was spotted by the owner of the one he just robbed. Local police arrived on the scene to collar the collector, who said he hadn’t been making enough money scavenging scraps. Koh Santepheap

Early bird gets worm; early drunk gets knifed

Three stooges polishing off wine early on Monday morning in Phnom Penh’s Daun Penh district found little to be merry over when drunken slapstick turned into all-out assault. One man, angry at being made fun of, went for his mate with a wooden stick. The friend presumably ducked – and came back at him with a knife aimed at his friend’s head. The 25-year-old victim was taken to hospital with knife wounds; his blade-packing buddy escaped. Koh Santepheap

Translated by Phak Seangly