Thick thieves, easy investigation

CHONBURI: Bungling thieves abandoned a stolen pickup and their own car after being unable to find the way out of a housing estate in Chonburi October 2.

They were soon arrested – after returning to the scene and asking police officers if they could have their car back.

Sombat Maithong, 45, reported the theft of his Toyota Vigo pickup to Sriracha Police around 3am.

Mr Sombat said he had spent the night at a farewell party for a colleague at the Sriracha District Electricity Office.

He thought nothing of the thieves as they followed him into the Ladda Village estate in a Mitsubishi Lancer, assuming they were residents.

As he was opening his gate, one of the thieves jumped out of the car, got into the pickup and sped off. Mr Sombat shouted for help and then called the police.

Before long, Sriracha Police inspector Jirarot Rotphanuphat discovered both the pickup and the car abandoned in the estate.

In the trunk of the Lancer, police found wire cutters, pieces of metal suitable for picking car locks and various other items.

Shortly afterwards Miss Pacharee Deeram, 18, and Ekaphong Khongruay, 24, pulled up on a motorbike.

Mr Ekaphong told the officers that he was the owner of the car and would like it back. The pair were promptly arrested.

The thieves told police they drove round and round the estate looking for the way out. When the police arrived, they jumped out of the vehicles and fled on foot.

The Mitsubishi Lancer proved too dear to leave behind, however, so the hapless Miss Pacharee and Mr Ekaphong returned hoping to retrieve it.