Thieves rob Phuket 7-Eleven a day before it closes down

Two thieves robbed a 7-Eleven in Phuket on Tuesday, just a day before it was set to close down. The two men snatched 1,826 baht from the store’s two female staff at gunpoint, The Phuket News reported.

Thalang Police arrived at the scene and reviewed the CCTV footage. The footage showed two men on a motorbike circling the store twice before one man entered the store wearing a full-face helmet.

The man then threatened the two female staff with a homemade firearm, police said. The terrified staff then handed the robber the 1,826 baht in cash.

Forensic officers inspected the scene, and police are now on the prowl for the men. Deputy Chief Lt Col Anukul Nooket said that CCTV footage captured the robber’s features.

The store was set to close the next day as the lease had expired, and the owner was to open another store elsewhere.

Phuket has been working to crack down on crime lately.

In November last year, Phuket Governor Narong launched a new initiative earlier called “Phuket Crime-Free.”

As part of the initiative, Phuket officials have been making some innovations on the island province’s CCTV networks. CCTV networks across Phuket would now be integrated into one system.

There was a mass signing of an MoU between agencies and government offices involved. This included 12 municipalities, six tambon administrative organisations, the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), and others.

All the agencies involved are responsible for maintaining the CCTV networks already under their purview, and they must help make available connections for all other agencies to access their networks. All police stations must have two officers available to monitor the network at all times.

The Phuket Crime-Free initiative involves government agencies working with the private sector to “create social responsibility.” This involves meetings and MoUs, as well as private organisations registering with various administrative divisions.