Kambol district police arrested 12 men on charges of robbing motorcyclists of their machines and other valuables and sent the suspects to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Monday.

The road bandits were working along National Road 3 from Tasom market, in Takeo province, and National Road 4 from Kampong Speu province to Phnom Penh.

The men would surround unsuspecting riders and brandish weapons to make them pull over. The victims would then be relieved of their phones, money, motorbikes and other property.

Kambol district police chief Hang Mony said on Tuesday the 12 men are being questioned.

“Based on complaints from victims, our authorities worked on the case since last week and five motorbikes used in the robberies were retrieved. We have finished questioning some of them, but not all. We are investigating to arrest three more people,” he said.

The Post could not contact deputy prosecutor and Phnom Penh Municipal Court spokesman Kuch Kimlong for more information on Tuesday.

A report from the Kambol district police office named the suspects as Dy Sovannara, 18; Ret Sovannara, 24; Ton Sophearith, 20; Long Panha, 23; Mao Sovannara,18; Dara Vy, 20; Leng Kimluy, 18; Savuth Pisey, 18; Noy Sovann, 21; Noy Samnang, 20; Chhun Socheat, 22, and Long Vanndavith, 23.

The police operation was led by Kambol district police chief Hang Mony and Kambol deputy district police chief Chhim Savuth.

There was cooperation from officers in the Phnom Penh Criminal Investigations Department and district police in Kandal, Kampong Speu and the Battambang border checkpoint, the report said.