Two French nationals were attacked and robbed over the weekend in separate incidents near the National Museum at the corner of streets 13 and 178 in Phnom Penh’s Daun Penh district, police and friends of the victims said Monday.
The most recent incident occurred early Monday morning on Street 178 and left one man hospitalized, though the extent of his injuries was not known, said Suos Sokhom, deputy police chief of Chey Chumneah commune.
The man, whose name and age were not released, had made a purchase at a minimart on Street 178 at about 1 a.m. and was walking back to his guesthouse alone when two men on a motorcycle approached him from behind, Mr. Sokhom said.
He declined to detail what happened next, but witnesses and local media Monday said the two assailants broke a glass bottle on the road and used it as a weapon, stabbing the man and then robbing him.
On Street 178 Monady, residents and business owners said they had heard screams and shouts for help at about 1 a.m.
“Last night, I heard the foreigner shout…around 1 a.m. Then a lot of people came out to look. I heard someone scream ‘Help, help!’” said Keo Makara, 43, who lives at the corner of streets 13 and 178.
“He was brought to Calmette Hospital,” Mr. Sokhom said. “We are still investigating the case.”
In a similar incident at the same location, Raphaele Bourgeois, 42, had her purse ripped off her by two men on a motorcycle Friday evening between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., according to You Khemarak, Ms. Bourgeois’ tour guide.
“She fell down and injured her hand and body while the two robbers took her bag” which held two iPhones and other items worth a total of about $2,500, said Mr. Khemarak.
Following the two robberies, a tourism official said Monday he wants additional police patrolling the area to ensure safety for tourists.
“We are worried. We request police attention to protect people’s security,” said Sam Chanren, deputy director of Phnom Penh’s tourism department
