Police Op to Arrest Suspected Stolen Car Dealer Turns Violent in Kampong Speu
A riot broke out in Kong Pisey district, Kampong Speu province as people surrounded and blocked police from Prey Veng province who were arresting a man suspected of selling and buying stolen cars. Three men have been arrested so far.
A group of people surrounded the police with weapons and damaged their vehicles as the latter tried to arrest a man in Kampong Speu province, suspected of buying a stolen car from an alleged thief, on Saturday evening.
The chaotic situation was brought to order after police fired shots, as well as the arrest of two men, That Tengneng, 26, and Hout Nget, 56, who were believed to have blocked the police operation in order to “free the suspect”. Police are looking for several more people who were involved in the violence.
Both Kampong Speu and Prey Veng provincial police worked together to arrest car mechanic shop owner Keo Daro, who is alleged to buy and sell stolen vehicles, which is said to be his business.
However, people suddenly gathered in the area with weapons, including axes, hammers and stones, to stop the police from leaving with Daro, 30, by blocking their vehicles, according to a video that has gone viral.
The night police operation turned into a riot as villagers became violent and used iron fences to cage a police vehicle, while some tried to remove the vehicle’s tyres.
“There are hammers, axes, stones and bricks. There are pictures [to show what happened]. Many state-owned vehicles belonging to the Prey Veng Provincial Police were severely damaged. Who is [going to be held] responsible [for this]?” Chhoeun Bunchhorn Prey Veng provincial Police Chief posted on his Facebook.
He said Prey Veng police had been investigating the case involving Daro for over two weeks. “Instead, [our operation] turned violence with people fighting against them.”
Daro is alleged to have purchased a Hyundai truck from an alleged thief for $1,600 and sold it to a person for $2,300 in Ang Rong, Maha Russey commune in Kong Pisey district, Kampong Speu.
Meanwhile, police also identified a few others who are alleged to be involved in the attack against police.
Daro and the two alleged rioters were taken to Prey Veng Provincial Police headquarters for further investigation and legal action, according to Kampong Speu Police Commissioner Tou Yem Sokkhai on the official police Facebook page.
At the time of writing, there was no mention of any arrest of the alleged thief who stole the vehicle in Prey Veng and sold it in Kampong Speu but the commissioner said that police have identified him.
Both Prey Veng and Kampong Speu police commissioners could not be reached immediately for comment. Source: KiriPost
