Golden getaway foiled: Shoe-less thief caught fleeing with loot

A man with a unique approach to theft was apprehended after stealing gold in Samut Sakhon. The suspect, who removed his shoes before entering a shop to commit the crime, was caught while attempting to flee to northern Thailand with the stolen goods intended to finance an engagement.

A 32 year old man named Somlak Jantongtae, originally from Roi Et, was arrested after committing a robbery at a gold shop in Samut Sakhon. Wearing a black hooded jacket and a black face mask, he approached the shop located near Wat Ketumdee Sri Wararam, Bang Thorat, and made away with two gold necklaces, each weighing two baht, valued at 171,600 baht (US$4,900).

Interestingly, he left his shoes at the shop’s entrance, which later served as evidence. This incident occurred on Tuesday, November 12.

Yesterday, at 2pm, police, led by Police Colonel Teeradej Athipakkul, acting superintendent of Samut Sakhon Provincial Police, along with Police Colonel Surasak Sitthichoktham and Police Colonel Yodchai Kaewruang, apprehended the suspect. Somlak was taken to the crime scene to reenact the robbery. Demonstrating remorse, he offered a traditional Thai wai gesture of apology to the female employees at the shop.

Police later escorted the suspect for further legal proceedings. Somlak stated that he had already provided his statement to the police, mentioning that his decision to leave his shoes was due to a sign at the shop requesting customers to remove footwear before entering. He claimed he was merely following the instructions displayed.

Colonel Teeradej revealed that the suspect had initially travelled to visit his mother in Bang Thorat. Driven by a desire to secure funds for an engagement, he decided to rob the shop. He stole two gold necklaces, each weighing 2 baht.

Gold theft

Colonel Teeradej further explained that after the theft, the suspect fled the scene using a motorcycle, navigating through the complex network of alleys along the railway tracks. He then abandoned the motorcycle and took a taxi to Mahachai, where he sold the necklaces at a gold shop in a local department store, obtaining approximately 162,000 baht (US$4,630).

Following the sale, Somlak took a taxi to Mo Chit Station, where he boarded a bus heading towards Phrae. However, law enforcement intercepted him at the Ban Na intersection in Wachirabarami district, Phichit province. Upon searching, police found 160,000 baht (US$4,570) in cash, acquired from selling the stolen gold, along with the black jacket he wore during the heist, reported KhaoSod.

The evidence gathered led to his arrest on charges of theft involving the use of a vehicle.