Police bust cross-border vehicle theft gang in Ubon Ratchathani

Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers, along with Ubon Ratchathani Highway Police, apprehended a gang involved in stealing and selling vehicles across borders. The suspects admitted to stealing three motorcycles in a single day, earning 14,000 baht for their efforts.

Today, June 20, Kirati Hoemsrichat, Police Lieutenant Colonel of Highway Police Division 4, led the operation with the CIB. The officers arrested two brothers, 21 year old Manat, and 27 year old Johnny, from Khem Rat district, Ubon Ratchathani province. The arrests took place at their residence in Village 9, Na Waeng sub-district, Khem Rat district, following warrants issued by Yasothon Provincial Court.

The investigation began on March 1, when Anon Chaisat, Deputy Inspector of Yasothon City Police Station, received a report of three stolen motorcycles from the Sing Tha Temple in Nai Mueang sub-district, Mueang Yasothon district.

The victims reported that they had parked their motorcycles at the temple while attending a charity fair. Upon returning around 11pm, they discovered their vehicles were missing. Surveillance footage revealed five male suspects arriving in a bronze Toyota sedan with the license plate กอ 255 Ubon Ratchathani.

The investigative team tracked the suspects to Na Waeng sub-district, Khem Rat district, Ubon Ratchathani province. They obtained a court warrant to arrest 24 year old Panuwat, the owner of the Toyota sedan used in the crime. Subsequent investigations led to the apprehension of the two brothers. The police continue to search for the remaining two suspects involved in the theft.

Manat confessed during questioning that Panuwat was responsible for hotwiring and starting the stolen motorcycles. Manat’s role was to break the motorcycle locks and ride them away from the scene.

The motorcycles were then hidden in a forest area in Khem Rat, waiting for the vehicle theft gang from Laos to pick them up and smuggle them across the border for resale. Manat claimed this was his first time participating in such a crime and that he received 14,000 baht (US$380) for his efforts, reported KhaoSod.

The police initially charged the suspects with nighttime theft committed by two or more persons using a vehicle to facilitate the crime or to transport the stolen property. The suspects were handed over to the investigators at Yasothon City Police Station for further legal proceedings.