Travel blogger heaps praise on Cambodian police after Phnom Penh theft

[CharlieH]

Travel blogger Chris Rodriguez (L), and his fiancée Gladys Seara receive the retrieved bag from police on Saturday. National Police

 

Popular travel vlogger Chris Rodriguez, better known as Travelwithcris, and his fiancée Gladys Seara are singing Cambodia’s praises after police nabbed a bag snatcher in record time. Their message? Cambodia is safe!

 

The drama unfolded on Saturday night when Seara was robbed while strolling past Phnom Penh’s Night Market along the riverside. The thief struck fast, swiping her bag right off her shoulder before speeding away on a motorcycle. Rodriguez wasted no time, going live on his Travelwithcris page, where thousands tuned in to watch the unfolding nightmare.

 

But the Cambodian police weren’t about to let a tourist get robbed on their watch. Within hours, they tracked down the suspect, recovering crucial documents, bank cards, and Seara’s Spanish passport. However, her Venezuelan passport was still missing.

The thief was quickly hauled off to the Criminal Police Department for further questioning.

 

Just four hours after the theft, the couple had their bag back, and they couldn’t be more grateful. Rodriguez took to social media, posting a heartfelt thank-you video for the Cambodian authorities.

“It’s only been four hours since the bag was snatched from my wife, and I am super happy to say that the Cambodian police and authorities have recovered my wife’s belongings. Not only that, but they also apprehended the criminal,” Rodriguez told his followers.

He didn’t hold back in praising the police and had a stern warning for any would-be thieves:

 

“To anyone thinking about stealing bags or phones—don’t do it in Cambodia. They’re going to catch you, and they’re going to catch you fast. Don’t be that person who ruins what the Cambodian people have worked so hard for. Cambodia is a beautiful country.”

Clearly moved by the swift action, Rodriguez gushed about his love for Cambodia and its people:

“The Khmer people are beautiful, and they want the best for Cambodia. I feel so blessed that you guys care about me and love me. I love your country. I’m just happy our belongings are back, and more importantly, that another criminal is off the streets. Cambodia deserves the best. Man, I love this country so much.”

 

Standing outside the Wat Phnom police post, Rodriguez also made a suggestion:

“Hopefully, there will be more changes. Personally, I think police should be on standby in all tourist areas.”

The YouTube star, who boasts over 650,000 subscribers, has long been a fan of Cambodia. In fact, he previously uploaded a video titled ‘Here’s Why I Love Cambodia 🇰🇭’, where he raved about the country’s charm.

 

But just hours before the happy ending, things were looking grim. In a video shot moments after the robbery, a visibly shaken Rodriguez described the terrifying moment:

“Guys, she just got robbed right now in Phnom Penh. They just came up and took her bag from a motorcycle. This is unreal—it just happened! Man, this is true what they’re saying. You can’t walk around with anything here. They just took the bag off her shoulder, and no one helped. It’s crazy. They took everything from my fiancée.”

“Look at this guy! They literally grabbed her arm and pulled the bag from the motorcycle. Unbelievable, guys! All of her money, her cards, and even her passport are gone. It’s unreal,” he added.

Luckily, Phnom Penh police were already on the case. According to the Phnom Penh Municipal Police Information and Quick Reaction team, officers launched an immediate response.

 

Lieutenant General Chuon Narin, Commissioner of Phnom Penh Police, confirmed that the suspect—a known repeat offender—was tracked down by search and rescue forces in Toul Sangke Sangkat, Russey Keo District, just a few hours after the crime.

Another thief off the streets, a relieved couple, and one seriously efficient police force—Cambodia just proved it doesn’t play around when it comes to protecting its visitors!

[Yagoda]

Backslapping and promotion aside, its very much apparent to me (despite the recent crackdown on certain 420 places) that the cops here (in PP and Siem) go out of their way to accommodate furriners. We are their Rice bowl, far more so than Thailand. They are aiming for unique 300,000 visitors a month in Siem Reap and thats a lot of money.

[BritManToo]

Tried to take my phone while I was looking at Google maps walking around the town.

My grip was stronger then the snatcher riding pillion though, he almost fell off.

 

Warned never to carry anything valuable in the m/c basket (Siam Reap).

Never walk on the sidewalk nearest the road (Phnom Penh).

[Woke to Sounds]

You get similar motobike snatch n grab in Vietnam, esp in HCMC.

 

My interactions with the Cambodian authorities have been 100% positive.

 

They do what they say, no BS.

 

Let's not advertise it too much lest there's a mass emigration from TH...

[Yagoda]

16 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Warned never to carry anything valuable in the m/c basket (Siam Reap).

Thats sort of universal throught ASEAN though?

 

I like the netting they use in  the PP tuktuks and remorks to keep the snatchers at bay. 

 

A lot is where you go and what you do. Like Wat Phnom at 4am.

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501654266/foreigner-beaten-robbed-in-central-phnom-penh-after-early-morning-rendezvous/

[Yagoda]

13 minutes ago, Woke to Sounds said:

 

Let's not advertise it too much lest there's a mass emigration from TH...

Its already happening. I had a young dude complain to me that Siem is starting to look like an old age home.

 

If you dont have a Thai wife, and if you are too old for round the clock fleshpots, and you need a change of scene, and you like the old timier Asian city vibe, and you dont want to hassle with all the BS the Thai govt lays on you, you just come on over be 55, pay their $300 and come and go as you please. Horny? $27 bus to Bangkok.

 

You can even get to Buriram and Surin quickly for a change of scene.

 

Ive met 5 guys here (Americans) who ditched their retirement Visas in  Thailand because of tax uncertainty. One of them rents a (nice) $100 studio here and has a condo in BKK. He follows the air, the seasons, the hormones. Hes younger than me though. I wish this place would have been livable 15 years ago.