Toy gun falls apart during robbery

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PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Police in Cambodia said an attempted robbery at a currency exchange was foiled when the suspect's toy gun fell to pieces in his hand.

Police Chief Pov Pidor of the Tuol Svay Prey I commune said Khem Ra, 41, a Cambodian-American man deported from the United States three months ago following multiple run-ins with the law, was attempting to rob a currency exchange and money transfer business Monday in Phnom Penh and his weapon, which turned out to be made of plastic, fell apart when he used it to strike the female clerk, the Phnom Penh Post reported Tuesday.

Pidor said Ra fled to a nearby house and agreed to come out in exchange for not being charged.

The chief said he pretended to agree to Ra's terms, "then, I followed him and made the arrest."

Ra is due to appear in court Tuesday.