Two ringleaders of a gang that has long terrorized people in Kompong Thom province were apprehended in Battambang province as they met their partners, police said Monday.
Battambang Deputy Judicial Police Chief Chea Thaun said police arrested In Oeurn, 41, and Yoeun Han, 31, in Banan district on Sunday as they traveled by taxi to Ratanak Mondul district to meet their partners to plan kidnappings in Battambang and Banteay Meanchey provinces, police said.
“The two guys wanted to conduct kidnappings in Battambang and Banteay Meanchey,” Chea Thaun said. The suspected ringleaders were sent to Kompong Thom province to face charges of robbery and kidnapping for crimes committed in the province.
According to the arrest warrants, In Oeurn committed five kidnappings and Yoeun Han seven, Chea Thaun said.
In August, police launched a massive hunt for a group of notorious bandits who have for years struck fear into villagers through a systematic campaign of robberies, murders, kidnappings and rapes.
Meanwhile, dozens of inmates temporarily escaped from prison in Kompong Thom Sunday when they forced their way through a door as guards prepared their dinner for them, according to provincial police officials.
Some of the inmates ran as far as 1 km before they were captured by police and returned to the prison, officials said.
Khieu Channy, the province’s Deputy Chief of Penal Police, said 36 of the 160 inmates forced their way through a door when guards opened it to deliver their meal.
“They premeditated the plan in advance and forced themselves through the door,” he said.
“The eight prisoners are criminals who committed murders and kidnappings.”
