The armed robbery of a home in Kampong Speu’s Phnom Sruoch district left three villagers – a father, son and a cousin – injured on Sunday night.

Ouk Khoeun, Phnom Sruoch district’s acting military police commander, said yesterday that 53-year-old homeowner Pan Sokoeut, was shot in the right leg below the knee, while his son Sokoeut Visal, 20, and his cousin Nam Socheat, 43, sustained blows to their heads from the blunt side of an axe.

Khoeun said that according to witnesses living near the Treng Trayoeng commune home, at about 7pm on Sunday, a group of five robbers armed with two rifles and a pistol rushed into the house and fired three shots to “intimidate” those inside.

After the shooting, Khoen continued, the suspects gathered jewellery, money and five mobile phones and then disappeared with the loot. The three victims have been brought to Preah Kossamak Hospital in Phnom Penh for treatment.

“For this case, our authorities are searching for the suspect, but until Monday evening, we have not got any hints yet,” Khoen said.