Ratchaburi man steals truck for food and shelter in prison

A man has been arrested after stealing a white Toyota Revo pickup truck and leading police on a chase across provinces before surrendering. The thief claimed that he committed the crime because he was ill, had no income, and preferred prison life where he would be guaranteed meals.

The 191 radio centre in Samut Songkhram was notified by police in Ratchaburi that a thief had stolen a white Toyota Revo pickup truck at 9.20pm yesterday, October 2.

The truck belonged to 30 year old Thanakorn Mahakaew who had parked the vehicle to withdraw money from an ATM at a petrol station on Phetkasem Road, Khok Mo subdistrict, Mueang district, Ratchaburi province. The perpetrator fled using Phetkasem Road, making his way into Samut Songkhram.

Siam Intsuwanno, the superintendent of Mueang Samut Songkhram Police Station, along with the Superintendent of Amphawa Police Station, Phetkla Taweekarn, and Saranyaphong Onsing, Deputy Inspector of Highway Police Division 1, mobilised their forces to pursue and intercept the vehicle. The chase ended when the stolen truck veered off the road and came to a stop near Koke Ket temple, Moo 7, Plaipoengpang subdistrict, Amphawa district.

Officers signalled the suspect to exit the vehicle but there was no response. Consequently, they requested support, including two ambulances and five lighting vehicles to illuminate the area. After nearly an hour, the suspect emerged from the truck and surrendered.

He was later identified as 47 year old Ekachai. Upon inspection, police found that the suspect had adorned himself with a gold necklace weighing 10 baht and a gold-encased amulet belonging to the vehicle owner. Additionally, they discovered a .38 calibre revolver with five bullets and a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, both belonging to Thanakorn.

Ekachai confessed that he lived alone, suffered from tuberculosis, and had no source of income, not even enough money to buy food. Desperate and seeing no other way out, he decided to steal the truck to ensure his arrest and imprisonment, where he would at least have regular meals, reported KhaoSod.

“I have no income, no food to eat. I committed the theft to get arrested. At least in prison, I will have food every day.”