Laotian man steals van in drug-fuelled chase through Khon Kaen

A man from Laos, under the influence of methamphetamine, stole a luxury van while its owner was buying chicken with his son. The dramatic chase ended with the suspect’s arrest after he crashed through police checkpoints, injuring one officer.

At 7pm yesterday, September 17, police from Khao Suan Kwang Police Station in Khon Kaen received a report about a stolen Hyundai van, registration number นข 9194 Khon Kaen. The van was taken from a petrol station in Khao Suan Kwang district and was heading towards Mueang Khon Kaen.

Officers from various police stations, including Mueang Khon Kaen, Tha Phra, and Ban Haet, coordinated to intercept the vehicle. The suspect ran multiple red lights and crashed through police checkpoints, injuring one officer before being apprehended on Mittraphap Road in front of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives in Ban Haet district.

The suspect, identified as Sorn, a 32 year old Laotian national, appeared to be under the influence of drugs.

Kiattisak, the owner of the van, recounted the incident. He and his eight year old son had driven to the petrol station to buy fuel for resale in their village. After refuelling, they parked the van in front of a shop to buy chicken.

Kiattisak left the engine running and had not been inside the shop for even two minutes when he heard a commotion. Turning around, he saw his van being driven away.

Van theft

A good Samaritan chased the van and alerted the police. The chase continued until officers caught up with the suspect near Khon Kaen University, where he ran a red light, leading to his eventual capture in Ban Haet, said Kiattisak.

“I’ve seen news about people leaving their engines running and having their cars stolen but I never thought it would happen to me. I admit it was careless. I was out of the car for less than two minutes and hadn’t even spoken to the chicken vendor when my van was stolen.

“When the police called to say they had intercepted the van, I was relieved. According to the petrol station attendants, they saw this man wandering around the station from the morning, trying to open doors of various vehicles until he found mine with the engine running and stole it.”

Upon initial questioning, the suspect confessed to arriving in Khao Suan Kwang three days ago and spending one night at the petrol station. He admitted to using methamphetamine, which he purchased from local youths, reported KhaoSod.

Sorn claimed he intended to keep the stolen vehicle for himself. However, the police are not convinced of his story and will continue to investigate further before pressing charges.