Thief steals car left running outside pharmacy in Samut Songkhram

A man in Samut Songkhram yesterday briefly parked his car with the engine running to buy some items at a pharmacy, only to witness a drug-addled thief steal his vehicle right before his eyes. Police swiftly apprehended the culprit at 6.30pm yesterday, July 9, who claimed he was seeking a new place to stay.

Police Lieutenant Padungsak Duangdao of Samut Songkhram City Police Station received a report of a car theft in front of a pharmacy in the Lat Yai subdistrict, Mueang district, Samut Songkhram.

At the scene, the car theft victim, 39 year old Panawat was waiting to provide his account to the officers. An orange Honda motorcycle was left behind by the thief, with two packets of instant noodles in the front basket. The officers seized the motorcycle as evidence and began their investigation to locate the suspect.

Panawat recounted that he had driven his white Toyota and left the engine running in front of the pharmacy to purchase pain relief medication. After buying the medicine, he went to get some noodles.

While waiting, the thief parked a motorcycle next to his car, opened the door, and drove away. Panawat tried to catch up but struggled due to leg pain, allowing the culprit to quickly escape.

CCTV footage revealed that Panawat had parked and left the engine running for less than five minutes while he went into the pharmacy. As he waited for his noodles, a man, appearing to be between 20 and 30 years old and wearing an orange shirt, parked the motorcycle next to Panawat’s car, opened the door, and sped off.

By 8.55pm, the suspect was identified as 35 year old Sir. While driving the car, he was intercepted and arrested by police officers, who brought him in for questioning at the Samut Songkhram City Police Station. A urine test indicated drug use.

Sir confessed that he had been using methamphetamine for a long time. Unable to enter his own home or find anyone willing to let him stay, he bought instant noodles to survive. Fearing for his safety, he decided to steal the car he saw with the engine running, hoping to find a new place to stay and start a new life nearby.

The suspect has been charged with theft involving a vehicle to facilitate the crime or transport the stolen property and with driving while under the influence of drugs. Legal proceedings are ongoing, reported KhaoSod.