Ratchaburi highway police arrest wanted criminals
Highway police officers made a significant arrest yesterday after pulling over a vehicle with an expired registration plate. During a routine check near kilometre marker 83 to 84 on Rama 2 Road in Wang Manao, Pak Tho district, Ratchaburi province, the officers uncovered connections to a high-profile criminal case.
The vehicle, driven by 49 year old Samart (surname withheld) and carrying 57 year old Somchai and 41 year old Anucha appeared suspicious when they exhibited nervous behaviour upon being stopped. A subsequent check of the national police database revealed outstanding warrants for Samart and Somchai, both wanted in connection to a case of theft from a residence at night or receiving stolen goods, as issued by the court in the southern district of Lang Suan.
The investigation also linked Anucha to a separate case of abduction for ransom and illegal firearm possession, as per warrants issued by the court in Lom Sak district, Phetchabun province. The trio was arrested on the spot.
This arrest ties back to the case of 56 year old Kanob Somwang, also known as Go Hamas or Sia Mad, a cockfighting ring owner from Chumphon province, who was murdered and buried. His Toyota Fortuner was subsequently involved in the case and was found being used in Sakon Nakhon province.
Further interrogations revealed Samart’s involvement in the transaction of Sia Mad’s vehicle, which he sold. Somchai admitted to owning the bank account used for receiving the payment from the sale of the vehicle.
Meanwhile, Anucha confessed to his role in a 2022 incident where, alongside two accomplices, he attempted to collect a debt of 3 million baht from a cafe owner in the Lom Sak district. Failing to receive the payment, they abducted the cafe owner’s son using firearms to negotiate the debt. Anucha claimed he received 30,000 baht for his part in the abduction, reported KhaoSod.
The suspects were handed over to the respective district police to proceed with further legal action.
