Cambodia Cracks Down on Motorcycle Theft Ring, Arrests Two Suspects, Seizes Five Bikes

In Pailin province, western Cambodia, police have arrested two individuals suspected of motorcycle theft and seized five stolen motorcycles. This operation is part of an intensified crackdown on the rising incidents of motorcycle theft in the region. The arrests were made by specialized investigators from the Sala Krao District Police Inspectorate, in collaboration with forces from the Kamrieng District and neighboring provincial police departments. Two suspects were apprehended in connection with two separate theft cases, and a total of five stolen motorcycles were recovered as evidence. The first incident occurred around 3:00 PM on September 3, 2026, near a 'seven-story building' in Ou Rorl village, Stueng Kach commune, Sala Krao district. The victim, Thong Sokheng, 51, reported that his Honda Dream motorcycle (2008 model, modified in 2015, black, license plate: Phnom Penh 1Z-0022), parked near his home, went missing on the morning of September 3rd. Security camera footage from around 3:00 PM on the same day showed two suspects tampering with the motorcycle's ignition and making off with it. The second case took place around 2:30 PM on September 5, 2026, in Thump village, Sala Krao commune. The victim, Keav Nang, 60, discovered that two of her motorcycles, a black Scoopy (2018 model, license plate: Pailin 1C-2346) and a reddish-purple Honda Wave Ai (2020 model), were missing from under her house. Following the complaints, investigators from the Sala Krao District Police Inspectorate, along with the provincial minor crimes unit, Kamrieng District Police, and Battambang provincial police from Phnom Proek district, launched an investigation. This led to the arrest of one suspect, Im Chandaro, 35, also known as 'Pou', whose occupation is unconfirmed, residing in Ou Ta Pon village, Pich Chanta commune, Phnom Proek district, Battambang province. Four other accomplices are currently being sought by authorities. During interrogation at the Sala Krao District Police Inspectorate, the arrested suspect confessed to involvement in three theft incidents, admitting to stealing a total of six motorcycles. The recovered evidence includes a black Honda Scoopy (no license plate), a black Honda Dream (2015 model, license plate: Pailin 1A-7469), and an older model black Honda Dream (no license plate). Furthermore, at approximately 1:30 PM on September 6, 2026, the Sala Krao and Kamrieng district police forces jointly arrested another suspect, Vath Chat, 25, also known as 'Ach Chat', residing in Ou Rumdol village, Ou Rumdol commune, Phnom Proek district, Battambang province. He confessed to having received two Honda Zoomer-X motorcycles from a person named Kaet and subsequently selling them. Two motorcycles were seized in this operation: a black Honda Zoomer-X (license plate: Battambang 1Y-0520) recovered in Doung village, Boeung Reang commune, Kamrieng district, Battambang province, and a white Honda PCX (no license plate). In total, the police have confiscated five motorcycles: one Honda Scoopy, two Honda Dreams, one Honda PCX, and one older model Honda. Tools used for breaking motorcycle locks were also seized. The two arrested suspects and the seized evidence are being held at the Sala Krao District Police Inspectorate for further legal proceedings. Source: Koh Santepheap Khmer