A 37-year-old man was shot and badly injured in his left leg after he allegedly stole a motorbike and was subsequently caught in the act attempting to steal another in Battambang town yesterday morning, police said.

Police had been searching for suspect Chea Samnang for a few days when they caught up to him – allegedly mid-heist – at the Svay Pao health centre, according to Battambang district police chief Pang Hieng.

“When our police officials were arresting him, he attempted to attack one of them with a [sharp] tool used to break motorbike locks. He was shot to stop him from attacking,” Hieng said.

Police searched his two rented rooms the same day, discovering two number plates from other motorbikes he had allegedly stolen.

“We had no intention to shoot him, but he would have injured our officer in the stomach; he is bigger than our officer is,” Hieng said.

Police took Samnang to receive treatment at the provincial hospital, and are preparing to send him to court.