A suspected thief was shot dead in an alleged attempted robbery of a jeweller’s shop in Tbong Khmum province yesterday, while two suspected accomplices made off with more than $600,000 in cash and gold said Am Sophal, Ponhea Krek district police chief.

The Saturday afternoon armed robbery at Stung Market in Koang Kang commune, was met with resistance from the shop owner, Pang Pov, 54, who fatally shot Poan Sina, 32, when he tried to hold up the store, Sophal said.

“This suspect was shot in the head and in the right side of the chest by the victim, so [Sina] died on site and another two suspects put jewelry and $600,000 into a big black plastic bag and escaped after they injured the victim” before he could fire more, he said.

Police seized an AK-47, a grenade, exploding bullets and shotgun shells from the scene.

Sina, Sophal added, was known as a Kampong Speu native who had spent several stints in jail for armed robbery.

Witnesses yesterday confirmed the police account, and police are seeking the two other suspects.