The Battambang Provincial Court on Saturday charged two brothers in conjunction with a large-scale armed robbery of a jewelry store owner earlier this month, officials said.
Kuch Ra, 32, and his brother Kuch Virak, who is about the same age, were both arrested shortly after midnight Thursday following a manhunt for Mr. Ra. Chet Vanny, deputy provincial police chief, said both men were sent to court Saturday morning.
“Mr. Ra was charged with theft with aggravating circumstances and with illegal use of a weapon,” he said.
“Mr. Virak was charged with being an accomplice because he tried to keep his brother’s robbery secret,” he added.
Mr. Ra fled to his brother’s property in Kompong Thom’s Baray district after hiding out briefly in Phnom Penh, according to police.
The brazen armed robbery on December 12 saw at least five thieves armed with AK-47s make off with about $300,000 in gold, jewelry and cash.
Mr. Vanny said police have detained seven suspects, including three main actors and four accomplices to the crime, but could not say how many people were believed to be involved in total.
