Cambodia: Serial Thief, Drug Addict Arrested; Phone and Burglary Tools Seized

A serial thief and drug addict has been arrested in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The suspect, who has a history of drug use for 10 years and extensive experience in picking locks on rental rooms and houses, was apprehended by patrolling police after attempting further burglaries. Despite a previous two-year prison sentence, he had not reformed and continued his criminal activities. The arrest occurred on the morning of July 28th, on a concrete road in front of the QMI garment factory, located in Chum Poun 2 village, Cham Chao 3 commune, Por Sen Chey district, Phnom Penh. The suspect, identified as Sot Sak, a 34-year-old male, has been using drugs since 2016 and served two years in Prey Sar prison in 2017 for drug-related offenses. The victim of the phone theft is Puth Seiha, a 17-year-old male who works in sales and resides in an unnumbered rental house in Tram Pou village, Cham Chao 3 commune. The stolen item was an iPhone 12 Pro, which has been recovered by the police and returned to the victim. In addition to the stolen iPhone 12 Pro, police confiscated a black OPPO mobile phone with SIM card (number 086 294 433) and a modified iron bar used for picking locks, which belonged to the suspect. According to police reports, officers on patrol spotted the suspect acting suspiciously. Upon questioning and searching him, they discovered the lock-picking tool and the password-protected iPhone 12 Pro. When the suspect could not unlock the phone, police determined he was a thief and arrested him. The suspect confessed to stealing the iPhone 12 Pro from a rental room in Tram Pou village, Cham Chao 3 commune, at approximately 6:30 PM on July 27th. The victim had called his stolen phone, and police informed him of the suspect's arrest and the recovery of his device. The victim then proceeded to the Cham Chao 3 police station to file a formal complaint. The suspect further admitted to his expertise in picking locks on rental rooms and houses, stating he operated alone. He confessed to a series of previous burglaries in the Chum Poun 1, Chum Poun 2, Tram Pou, and Prey Tea villages within Cham Chao 3 commune, where he had stolen property by picking locks. Source: Koh Santepheap Khmer