Three armed men were charged by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday for allegedly robbing a luxury motorbike and getting in a gunfight with police in the capital’s Meanchey district on Friday.

Suspects Ky Thoeun, 36, Soth Ya, 34, and Lor Vuth, 35, are facing charges of “theft under aggravated circumstances and using a weapon without permission”, said deputy prosecutor Keu Bonnara.

The men were arrested last Friday after they reportedly stole a victim’s motorbike and had a shootout with police officers in which their alleged leader was killed. Police seized three pistols, two more motorbikes and ammunition from the men following their arrest, said Phnom Penh Municipal Serious Penal Police Unit captain Ka Ham.

Ham added that the suspects were known armed robbers who have previously shot, injured and killed some victims on several occasions in Phnom Penh and in other provinces as well.

“The men have now been sent to Prey Sar prison for temporary detention,” Bonnara said.

The three accused could not be reached for comment.