Jewellery thieves make off with over $400,000

POLICE are on a hunt for suspects who stole jewellery worth over $400,000 from a store located at the Samaki market, in Tuol Kork district’s Phsar Depot III commune, in the capital on Wednesday.

The National Police identified the store owners as Chea Thoeun, 45, and his wife, Ny Sineth. The two lost an array of jewellery including diamonds, gold, platinum and others valuable items.

The suspects left behind a pair of scissors and a key, police said, adding that its officers had inspected the crime scene.

Police have also interviewed security guards at the market and others who work there but are hard pressed for clues.

Sineth told The Post that her store had only two employees who worked from 8am until closing time at 5:30pm.

She said at the end of store’s business hours on Tuesday, she had closed the shop and locked the door.

“In the morning of November 14, around 8am, when I came to open the shop, I saw from a distance that the door had been opened.

“When I got closer, I noticed t he door had been forcef ully opened, while a ll jeweller y cabinets had been opened too.

“All t he jeweller y was stolen. I immediately informed market securit y and reported t he matter to t he police,” she said.

Phsar Depot III commune police chief Toeu Taingsaro declined to comment on the matter and referred reporters to Tuol Kork district police chief Sok Heng. However, the latter could not be reached for comment at press time.