Police Arrest Fourteen in Suspected Car-Theft Ring

Military police on Friday busted an alleged crime ring in a raid on a guesthouse in Phnom Penh where they found drug paraphernalia and tools used to steal vehicles.

Nine males and five females between the ages of 17 and 25 were arrested on suspicion of using and possessing drugs and stealing vehicles after military police and commune police worked together to raid Meng Meanchey guest house in Pur Senchey district, said Touch Ty, Kakab commune deputy police chief.

“After military police searched and arrested those suspects, police wrote a report on the case,” he said.

Pou Davy, municipal deputy military police chief, said the suspects attempted to lock themselves in the guesthouse, but police managed to break down the door and rounded up the 14 suspects.

Police found bottles, pipes and plastic bags used to store and consume drugs along with master keys capable of unlocking vehicles.

Two of the 14 suspects—Chea David, 21, and Sem Samnang, 17—admitted to having used drugs and stolen vehicles and were taken to the municipal court, where they were charged Sunday with theft and drug possession.

The remaining 12 denied the accusations and Mr. Davy said they would be “reeducated” and released if no evidence was found implicating them.

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