Israeli man nabbed for Phuket motorcycle theft after week-long hunt
Forgetful victim left key in ignition sparking manhunt
An Israeli man was finally apprehended on April 30 after stealing a motorcycle from the car park of a hospital in Phuket on April 21 and evading arrest for over a week.
The Thai victim, whose identity was not disclosed, filed a complaint at Wichit Police Station on April 24, reporting that his white Honda Click motorcycle was stolen from the car park of Bangkok Hospital Siriroj on Chaloem Phrakiat Road in the Wichit sub-district on April 21.
The victim admitted he forgot to remove the key from the ignition. He did not explain the reason for the delayed report.
Police officers reviewed CCTV footage from the hospital and surrounding areas and identified the suspect as a foreign national. He was later confirmed to be a 32 year old Israeli man named Cohen Yoad.
Yoad was arrested at a hotel in Phuket’s Thalang district on April 30. The stolen motorcycle was found parked at the hotel, and the clothes he wore during the theft were also recovered from his room.
The suspect admitted to the theft and was taken to the police station for legal proceedings. He was charged with theft under Section 334 of the Criminal Law, which carries a penalty of up to three years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to 60,000 baht.
This incident adds to a growing number of thefts involving foreign nationals in Thailand. In March, a Hungarian man was arrested in Chon Buri for stealing 1.5 million baht in cash from a Thai businessman. The thief broke the window of the victim’s car to steal an envelope containing the money.
In February, an Australian couple were caught stealing valuables from two foreign nationals in Phuket. Their identities and the motorcycle’s registration plate were clearly visible in CCTV footage, leading to their swift arrest.
That same month, another foreigner stole an iPhone worth nearly 60,000 baht from a shop in Phuket. However, police have not released any updates regarding that case.
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