Oddar Meanchey Police Bust Motorcycle Theft Ring, Dismantle Chop Shop; 4 Arrested

Police in Oddar Meanchey province, northwestern Cambodia, have arrested four suspects involved in motorcycle theft and operating a chop shop for stolen vehicles. The operation was conducted under the guidance of National Police Chief General Sar Thet and Oddar Meanchey Provincial Police Commissioner Major General Khov Ly. On September 9, 2026, at 8:00 AM, a specialized team led by Colonel Dim Vandy, Chief of the Minor Offenses Office, in cooperation with Colonel Hem Phirom, Chief of the Samrong Municipal Police, and under the direct command of Colonel Hem Pirak, Deputy Commissioner for Criminal Affairs, initiated an investigation. The operation successfully apprehended four suspects identified as active participants in motorcycle theft and individuals providing locations for the modification and assembly of stolen motorcycles. The arrested individuals are Voeun Polly (male, 19 years old), Chiv Lihong (male, 18 years old), Om Sarom (male, 29 years old), and Rith Bunchen (male, 25 years old). Voeun Polly and Chiv Lihong are also reportedly habitual drug users involved in theft. Om Sarom is identified as the provider of the chop shop location and a drug user, while Rith Bunchen is accused of assisting in the modification and assembly of stolen motorcycles and is also a drug user. The suspects are alleged to have committed three counts of motorcycle theft and provided a location for motorcycle modification between August 3, August 30, and September 7 and 9, 2026, within the Samrong Municipal area. Seized items include a total of four motorcycles, a large quantity of motorcycle spare parts, and various tools used for cutting, assembling, and modifying stolen motorcycles. Currently, the four suspects and the seized evidence are being held at the Oddar Meanchey Provincial Police Headquarters for legal proceedings.