Bad karma: Ex-builder nabbed for 16m baht amulets, gold theft
A former construction worker has been arrested for stealing 107 amulets and 35 baht worth of gold from a renowned amulet trader’s home, resulting in a loss of approximately 16 million baht. The arrest took place after a thorough investigation by the police in Lat Krabang.
Today, March 19, at 9am, Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, the Metropolitan Police Chief, together with Police Major General Nopasit Poonsawat, the Deputy Metropolitan Police Chief, instructed Police Colonel Somkid Prachoensuk and Police Lieutenant Chattawat Rakpracha, along with the investigation team from Lat Krabang Police Station, to apprehend 45 year old Narit (surname withheld).
The warrant for his arrest was issued by the Min Buri Criminal Court (No. 391/2568) on March 17, following a series of burglaries committed on March 15 across six houses in a village in the Lat Krabang area.
The suspect targeted the home of an amulet trader, stealing 107 amulets, gold amulet frames, and gold necklaces, all weighing a total of 35 baht, amounting to a loss of about 16 million baht (US$475,630).
The investigation revealed that Narit roamed neighbourhoods on foot, identifying unoccupied homes in the Lat Krabang area for theft.
Narit was tracked and arrested on March 18 at 10.30pm near a mansion in the Ramkhamhaeng area, Klong Chan subdistrict, Bang Kapi district, Bangkok.
The investigation into his method showed he chose standalone houses in established residential projects that were not too new, specifically those with locations backing onto a canal, forest, or railway.
He approached via railways or concrete bridges, checking if anyone was home by observing interior lights or throwing objects to elicit a response. Once confident the house was empty, he would break in through a window, steal valuables, and escape.
The suspect confessed that he usually committed these crimes from 10pm onwards, although he sometimes struck during the day if the occupants were at work. He always acted alone and sold the stolen goods to fund his online gambling addiction.
Narit admitted to previously working in construction but left due to his severe gambling habit, which he was unable to control.
He once won 1 million baht (US$29,725) from gambling, buying a Toyota Fortuner, which he later pawned to cover gambling debts, leading to his financial downfall and subsequent crime spree. His thefts spanned across Lat Krabang, Prawet, and Bang Chan areas.
Narit, along with the seized items, has been handed over to the investigators at Lat Krabang Police Station for legal proceedings, reported KhaoSod.
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