A man charged with stealing some $45,000 worth of gold in an armed robbery at a market in Takeo province told the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Monday that knew nothing about the heist, despite evidence tying him to a motorbike that was allegedly used as a getaway vehicle.
Koy Sina, 29, was arrested in Phnom Penh’s Sen Sok district on August 19, a week after three masked men stormed a market in Takeo’s Tram Kak district in broad daylight, smashing glass display cases with hammers and stealing the gold jewelry inside.
Presiding Judge Kor Vandy said Monday that Mr. Sina’s was arrested after police located a motorbike identified by witnesses as the getaway vehicle, upon which his fingerprints were allegedly found.
“You say you don’t know anything, but expert officials took your fingerprints and matched them with the fingerprints found on the bike,” Judge Vandy said.
Yan Vandeluxe, a lawyer for Mr. Sina, said the evidence against his client, who faces between three and 10 years in prison on charges of theft with aggravating circumstances, did not stack up.
“Witnesses have not identified my client as the offender,” Mr. Vandeluxe said.
No other suspects have been identified. A verdict is set to be delivered on July 16.
