Suspected cable thief breaks both legs after Trang Hospital chase

A man suspected of stealing property from Trang Hospital was injured last night, February 22, after crashing his motorcycle while fleeing hospital security guards in Mueang Trang district, Trang province.

Police at Mueang Trang Police Station said they were notified at about 11pm that a suspect linked to a theft at Trang Hospital had been involved in a motorcycle accident during a pursuit by hospital security staff.

The crash reportedly happened in Thap Thiang subdistrict, where the rider struck a concrete base and a metal pole.

When police and rescue staff arrived, they found a damaged orange Honda Click Play motorcycle by the roadside. Equipment used for cutting electrical wire was found on the motorcycle.

The rider was later identified as 43 year old Veerapong, from Na Ta Luang subdistrict. He was found with serious injuries, including fractures to both legs as well as wounds to his head and body.

Police and hospital security staff were at the scene controlling the situation before rescue workers provided first aid and took him to Trang Hospital for treatment.

A hospital security guard told police that the incident began earlier during a routine patrol around the hospital. The power was reportedly out near a shallow water pond used as part of the hospital’s utilities system, prompting staff to call an electrician.

The guard said they later found electrical cables had been cut, with sections gathered into a pile, suggesting they had been deliberately severed.

Security staff said they then watched the area and later saw Veerapong arrive on the motorcycle, collect the cut cables, wrap them in a large blanket and load them onto the bike.

When the guards tried to detain him, the suspect allegedly sped off with the hospital property, prompting a pursuit of more than five kilometres as they alerted police.

They claimed he rode erratically, including travelling against traffic in several places, and later threw the wrapped cables to the roadside during the chase. Officers said the cables were later recovered, with a head torch found among them.

One security guard said a colleague first spotted the suspect and radioed for help, adding that the suspect rode against traffic for more than one kilometre before losing control while turning into a side street and crashing.

Hospital officials were reported to be coordinating internally and compiling evidence. Naewna reported that Mueang Trang police are preparing to proceed with charges, including theft from a government facility.

Similarly, a thief crashed his motorcycle into a pickup while making his escape after snatching a bag from a pedestrian in Nakhon Ratchasima province. The suspect is reported to have lost consciousness and is in critical condition.