Four Suspects Arrested for Copper Wire Theft at Cambodian Factory Construction Site

In Samrong Tong district, Kampong Speu province, Cambodia, four suspects were arrested by police in the early morning of July 27, 2026, for attempting to steal copper wires from a factory construction site. Authorities are currently pursuing the fifth accomplice. According to local police, the arrested individual, identified as Choun Vith, 29, confessed to committing the crime with four other accomplices. He resided in a rented room in Kong Pisei district, Kampong Speu province, but his native village is in Phnom Kravanh district, Pursat province. Based on Choun Vith's confession, police subsequently arrested four more suspects: Thi Thong, 20, residing in Kong Pisei district, Kampong Speu province; Kim Vannak, 25, originally from Ou Chun village, Morokot district, Preah Vihear province, and residing in Kong Pisei district, Kampong Speu province; Bo Len, 41, originally from Chamkar Khley village, Svay Chrom commune, Rola Pear district, Kampong Chhnang province, and residing in Kong Pisei district, Kampong Speu province; and Vant, 25, whose address is unknown. Vant is believed to have fled after the act. Confiscated evidence includes one cutting motor, one snap knife, four pliers, one pair of pliers, two scissors, several keys, and one motorcycle. Police have forwarded the suspects and the seized items to the specialized office of the Kampong Speu Provincial Police for further legal proceedings. This incident suggests an increasing trend in infrastructure-related theft as Cambodia continues its economic development. Specifically, copper wire theft from construction sites and infrastructure facilities can negatively impact overall economic activities, leading to project delays, cost increases, and potential instability in power supply. Source: Koh Santepheap Khmer