Phnom Penh municipal police are searching for two armed men wanted for an attempted robbery that went awry on Saturday night when the homeowner – a military police officer – shot their accomplice in the leg, police officials said yesterday.

Police chief Choun Sovann said police have searched what they believe to be the suspects’ hideout but found nothing linked to the crime.

A local police officer who declined to be named said the attempted robbery took place at about 8pm on Saturday in the Tuol Tompoung I area of Chamkarmon district.

According to the officer, homeowner Srey Thara, a 43-year-old military policeman, said he and his wife were coming home from a wedding when two gun-toting men ran in, threatening family members inside.

Thara quickly pulled out his own gun and shot one robber in the leg before the other two fled the scene, leaving a gun and a motorbike behind as evidence.

The injured suspect was hospitalised, and later questioned by police.