The suspected ringleader of a band of armed robbers was arrested after being wounded in a shootout with authorities in Kandal province’s Muk Kampoul district on Friday, police said yesterday.

According to a police report of the incident, authorities had already been following suspect Hing Ny, who allegedly had a history of armed robbery.

After tailing Ny and his associates to a local drink shop, police managed to listen in on their discussion of plans to rob the home of a local teacher named Sok Sovanny in Muk Kampoul district.

When the men showed up to rob the house, police were waiting, and a gunfight broke out.

“During the crackdown, both police and the suspects opened fire,” said provincial police chief Ev Chamroeun, who led the raid.

Ny was injured in the shoot-out, but his two accomplices managed to successfully flee the scene. Ny was treated for his injuries before being sent to court, and police are currently looking for the other two suspects.

The arrest comes amid a nationwide spate of robberies that has resulted in calls from high-ranking officials for police to step up their efforts in combating violent crime.