Suspect arrested after attempted gold shop robbery in Yasothon
A suspect identified has been arrested following an attempted robbery at a gold shop in Mueang district, Yasothon province.
The incident occurred on April 21 when the suspect, 29 year old Yotthana, also known as Sam Hongthong, disguised with a helmet and face covering, used an object resembling a firearm to threaten the shop owner. However, the owner resisted, preventing the suspect from taking any valuables before he fled on a motorcycle.
The investigation revealed that Yotthana, a resident of Phanom Phrai district, Roi Et province, had a history of drug-related activities. A warrant for his arrest was issued by the Yasothon Provincial Court on April 22.
Police Major General Watthana Yijeen, the Regional Commander of Police Region 3, instructed officers to expedite the capture to restore public confidence. The investigative team held a meeting to gather evidence, leading to the issuance of the arrest warrant.
They later tracked Yotthana to Mukdahan province, where he was planning to escape across the border to a neighbouring country. He was apprehended in a wooded area behind a petrol station in Kut Khae subdistrict, Mueang district, Mukdahan province, along with the pickup truck used in his escape.
During initial questioning, Yotthana confessed to attempting the robbery, motivated by the high value of gold, to pay off debts to acquaintances. He was taken for further investigation at the Yasothon Provincial Investigation Division.
Charges of attempted robbery with concealment of identity and using a vehicle for escape were filed against him, and he was handed over to investigators for prosecution, reported KhaoSod.
The suspect acknowledged using an unloaded firearm to intimidate during the robbery attempt, but the shop owner’s quick response thwarted his plan, forcing him to flee.
Original news: Robbery attempt at Yasothon gold shop thwarted by brave owner
A gold shop in Yasothon province was the target of a robbery attempt on April 21. The suspect, armed with an unloaded gun, demanded gold but was thwarted by the alert shop owner and her nephew. The suspect fled the scene, and police are currently pursuing him.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Worawut Thanmook, Deputy Superintendent of Mueang Yasothon Police Station, received the report from Police Major Thanawit Sitthinarm. The incident occurred on Witthaya Thamrong Road, in the Nai Mueang subdistrict of Mueang district.
Sukanya, the shop owner, stated that a male suspect, dressed in a white shirt and jeans, entered the shop. He initially asked for 5 baht, a phrase usually understood as a request for money, which is common with beggars. However, when she bent down, the suspect pulled out a gun and demanded gold.
The shop owner tried to negotiate, and her nephew, who was nearby, suspected the gun was not loaded. He used a wooden board to fend off the suspect, causing him to retreat. The suspect quickly fled to a waiting vehicle and escaped without any gold, heading towards Prachasamphan Road.
Pol. Maj. Thanawit was instructed to investigate the scene and gather information on the suspect. Preliminary data from surveillance footage has provided some leads. Police have increased patrols and are monitoring gold shops within and outside shopping centres in the region to apprehend the suspect, reported KhaoSod.
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