A PROVINCIAL military police commander’s driver was arrested early yesterday morning for firing a gun in a restaurant in Siem Reap after being asked to leave because it was closing, police said.

Prak Chanthoeun, spokesman for Siem Reap provincial military police, said third lieutenant Keo Phearom, 24, a military officer and the personal driver of Brigadier General Huth Sarann, commander of Otdor Meanchey provincial military police, was arrested about 12:30am in Ta Veang Russey village, Sala Kamroeuk commune.

“He got very drunk and used his pistol to fire a bullet into the air inside the restaurant,” he said. The bullet hit the roof, but caused no serious damage.

An officer at Sala Kamroeuk commune police, who asked not to be named, said Keo Phearom and four friends had arrived at Ta Veang Russey Restaurant about 8:30pm.

They dined and drank alcohol until being asked to leave shortly after midnight, the police officer said.

“He fired into the air because he was angry with the restaurant’s boss, who asked them to leave because he wanted to close.”

Keo Phearom was arrested a short time later.

“He is in the Sala Kamroeuk military police office cell. He will be sent to the provincial military police headquarters today,” the officer said.