Mall brawl: Shoppers pile on gold thief after getaway fail (video)
A bungling gold thief thought he had struck it rich after grabbing a tray of necklaces in a packed shopping mall but his getaway flopped spectacularly when he tried to escape up a down escalator and was tackled by a heroic shopper.
At 7pm, yesterday April 27, police were called to the dramatic robbery at Tamnak Thong 5 gold shop, on the first floor of a popular shopping centre in Rayong province.
Deputy Inspector Kawiwut Boonruang and a team from Mueang Rayong Police Station raced to the scene, joined by Major General Phumin Singhasut, and Police Colonel Athit Yakaew.
When they arrived, they found the suspect, bloodied, bruised, and sitting on the floor, already restrained by a brave member of the public. Officers immediately arrested the man and provided first aid.
The thief was identified as 26 year old Nattaporn, from Chumphon province, who told officers he usually worked as a durian sorter. He confessed that before the heist, he had tried to withdraw money from an ATM in the mall but when no cash came out, he decided to rob the nearby gold shop instead.
According to police, he entered the store carrying a backpack and asked to see a gold necklace weighing 5 baht. The shop assistant brought out a tray but, after pretending to browse, he rushed out to make a fake phone call. Moments later, he re-entered, grabbed the tray containing 10 necklaces, weighing a total of 50 baht, and bolted.
His grand escape plan quickly unravelled, though, as he dashed towards the escalators, only to realise too late that they were going in the wrong direction.
Seizing his chance, 52 year old Winai Masawat, who was at the mall with his wife, pounced.
“I saw him grab the gold right in front of me. I ran after him towards the escalator. He was in such a panic he tried to run down the up escalator, which gave me and others the chance to grab him.”
The thief struggled fiercely but was soon overwhelmed by Winai and several other shoppers who rushed in to help.
The gold shop employee described the drama to KhaoSod reporters.
“At first he asked to see a 5-baht gold necklace. He pretended to inspect it, walked out to pretend to make a phone call, then came back and suddenly snatched 10 necklaces from the tray. I screamed for help immediately.”
Police confirmed all 10 necklaces, worth over 2 million baht, were safely recovered and returned to the shop.
Major General Phumin praised the good citizens who helped foil the theft.
“This was a very outrageous act. Thanks to quick-thinking members of the public, the thief was caught. We will issue a certificate of recognition to honour their bravery.”
Meanwhile, Nattaporn was hauled off to Rayong City Police Station, where he faces charges of theft and is awaiting further legal action.
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