Sexual assault, not theft, motive for spiked water bottles – Police

In an unexpected development to a story which has recently made headlines, police in Nonthaburi, just north of Bangkok, now claim sex, rather than theft, was the likely motivation behind the cases of spiked water bottles of joggers at a public park. On Friday police announced progress in the investigation into cases at the park in the government complex, following reports in June of joggers being hospitalised after drinking water from their sports bottles.

9 men have now been questioned and detained by police over alleged sexual activities at Nonthaburi City Hall’s park. They were detained as part of an ongoing investigation into the mysterious complaints.

Tests indicated the water from the bottles had been spiked with Xylazine, and the bottles appeared to have been pierced by a syringe needle. Xylazine is an anaesthetic and sedative used by veterinarians for cattle, horses and cats.

“2 similar incidents were reported on June 15 and 19, and both victims were males aged 43 and 42 respectively. They suffered from blurred vision, shortness of breath and vomiting after drinking water from their bottle before passing out, and had to be hospitalised. Preliminary investigation on the water bottles and the victims’ urine found traces of Xylazine.”

Police say they worked with local government offices, who told them the park is a known meeting place for gay men. Since the victims did not report any valuable items stolen, officials suspected sex was probably the motivation.

“We have investigated 9 suspects who frequently visited the park. All are male and were carrying items such as condoms, lubricant gels as well as “homosexual video clips” on their phones.”

Nonthaburi’s governor says when he was alerted to the incidents, he ordered municipal officials to deploy surveillance staff in the park and other public parks in Nonthaburi, to prevent any more such incidents.

“We have also installed more lighting and CCTV cameras in suspected areas to ensure people’s safety.”

SOURCE: Nation Thailand