A man suspected of committing an armed robbery with an AK-47 back in 2009 has been arrested in Phnom Penh, almost nine years later.

Sue Mao, 38, from Prey Veng province’s Kampong Trabeak district, is suspected of committing an armed robbery on April 21, 2009 in Cham commune, along with three accomplices.

Shortly after the alleged crime, he relocated to Phnom Penh’s Sen Sok district with his wife and children.

He was apprehended by police and arrested in Sen Sok district on Monday at 4:30pm.

Kampong Trabeak District Police Chief Suon Samoeun said Mao was the suspected mastermind of the robbery. Two of his alleged accomplices, identified as Phan Koo and Huol Hoeun, both passed away from disease in 2011.

The third, Chan Hoeun, acted as a lookout for Mao, and was arrested in May 2009 and sentenced to six months in prison.

The quartet allegedly confronted Sok Yon, 47, with the AK-47, beat her unconscious and tied her hands behind her back.

They searched her home and stole jewellery – 45 grams of gold and 37.5 grams of platinum – as well as 180,000 riel (about $45) and two smartphones.

Mao has been charged and sent to Prey Veng Provincial Prison to await trial. He faces between three and 10 years in jail if convicted of aggravated theft with violence.