A jewellery vendor sustained a serious injury to her head in a scuffle with an armed robber in Sihanoukville yesterday morning, police said.

Deputy provincial police chief Kol Phally said that 65-year-old victim Heng Chhunteng had just arrived at her shop at a local market with her son when the four suspects, at least one of whom was armed, appeared.

“According to the witnesses at the scene, there were four suspects, but they are not sure how many, or how many weapons that the suspects used in the robbery,” Phally said.

The assailants struck just as Chhunteng was opening her shop, grabbing a bag full of cash she was holding, he continued. Chhunteng tried to hold on to the bag, but fell down during the scuffle, striking her head. As the robber exited the premises, he fired a single warning shot to discourage would-be pursuers.

Phally said that the victim had not divulged how much money had been taken, but said that police are still questioning the victims and searching for the suspects.