Phnom Penh: Police in Phnom Penh have arrested a security guard in connection with Thursday’s murder of a 12-year-old boy. The boy was found in his home in Por Senchey. The home had been burgled. The suspect was the boy’s neighbour.

It was Thurday evening when police and the Child Protection Unit were called to investigate the body of a boy in this house in Trapaing Krasaing village in the Chaoam Chao commune of Por Senchey. The boy’s lifeless body had been tied up in a sack. He has been identified as Kean Dara. He had been left alone in the rented room when his widowed mother went to work at a nearby garment factory.

According to the initial investigation by police officers, the neighbouring security guard allegedly stole the boy’s mobile phone, a $30 chain and some cash before killing him. Por Senchey district police Penal Officer, Captain Ly Sambath, says there are signs of a scuffle between the victim and the accused. It’s believed the murder occurred at around 4pm on Thursday. Kean Dara’s body was found at around 6.30. Police are withholding the name of the security guard while the investigation continues.