Chinese men arrested for using remote jammer to steal from cars

Police apprehended two Chinese nationals accused of using a remote jammer to unlock newly parked cars and steal valuables from them. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) detained 38 year old Zhangjin, and 31 year old Zhenghong, at a rest area on the Bangkok-Chon Buri Motorway in Bang Pakong district, on Saturday, September 14.

Police caught the pair attempting to open the doors of two vehicles parked at the rest stop. Items confiscated from the suspects included a remote jammer, a shoulder bag, three mobile phones, a car key, and a vehicle.

The investigation began when Bang Pakong police reported frequent thefts at the rest area’s car park. CIB detectives identified a group of Chinese men as the culprits.

The modus operandi involved one gang member pretending to have a phone conversation to distract the motorist while another used a remote jammer to block the car’s locking signal. Distracted by the phone-using suspect, the motorist would often fail to ensure the car was locked.

Once the motorist walked away, the gang would open the unlocked vehicle and steal valuables, including credit cards used for overseas payments via card readers.

Yesterday, September 15, police also detained a 20 year old Thai woman, the girlfriend of Zhenghong. She had driven the Chinese suspects to the rest area before their arrest. A search of her condominium in the Phra Ram 9 area of Bangkok led to the discovery of ketamine.

Police suspect that Zhangjin and Zhenghong may be linked to a call scam gang. Zhangjin denied involvement in the crime, whereas Zhenghong confessed. The remote jammer found in the shoulder bag seized from the suspects was a crucial piece of evidence, reported Bangkok Post.

The CIB continues to investigate the extent of the suspects’ activities and their potential connections to other criminal operations.

In a related incident, a man who stole a taxi in Hong Kong ended his wild ride by crashing into a police station gate on Wednesday, September 4.