Three men were arrested and sent to Kandal Provincial Court on Friday after allegedly strangling a 10-year-old boy, according to police.

The crime was triggered when the boy, Thai Kim Hai, reported to local villagers in Sa’ang district that he saw a gang of men steal money from the Sla Ket pagoda during a traditional event on April 15, said Men Bunnan, director of the Serious Crime Bureau.

The following day, four men, enraged that Hai had exposed them, stopped him at a school near the pagoda, where they allegedly choked and beat him to death.

On April 17, villagers found the boy lying dead at the school compound.

According to police, 15-year-old Thy Meng Heang used a scarf to choke the victim, while Lim Kim Leaph, 24, kept watch on the road as the crime was committed.

Both men are now in custody, in addition to Chhoeun Chheu, 27, who is suspected of plotting the murder alongside Chan Smey, 22, who remains at large.

The suspects, who were arrested the day the body was found, reportedly admitted to stealing small amounts of money on four separate occasions.