Udon Thani child molester recaptured after escaping through vent

Police detained a suspect in a child molestation case for a DNA test in Udon Thani, but he escaped through a bathroom vent. Fortunately, officers quickly recaptured him. The suspect claims he was framed and missed his family.

Pattanawong Chanphon, Superintendent of Muang Udon Thani Police Station, received a report from the Udon Thani Provincial Forensic Office yesterday, September 13, that a suspect had escaped.

The 40 year old suspect, Uthien, nicknamed Tong, had been detained by Phen Police Station officers for DNA collection. Uthien was under arrest by a warrant from the Udon Thani Provincial Court for molesting a child under 13 years old and committing indecency against a child under 15 years old using force.

He had been arrested on Thursday, September 12. After the DNA collection, Uthien went to the bathroom, locked the door, and escaped through the rear vent.

Upon receiving the report, Bancon Pakot, Deputy Inspector of Investigation, reviewed CCTV footage along the probable escape route. The footage showed the suspect wearing a long-sleeved black shirt with red sleeves, long trousers, and no shoes.

He concealed his handcuffed hands inside his shirt and walked out of the forensic office, heading down Naresuan Road before turning right towards Udon Thani Central Prison and then left.

Officers followed this route and found Uthien standing in front of a kitchenware store on Bypass Road, near a shopping mall. Upon spotting the police, Uthien attempted to flee but was eventually apprehended while hiding in a bush. Uthien claimed he fled because he was framed and missed his home.

The Deputy Superintendent of Phen Police Station revealed that the investigator had taken Uthien for additional DNA collection at the forensic office. The investigator handcuffed Uthien before attending to another suspect being taken to court.

The investigator then called the deputy superintendent, who found that Uthien had escaped. They reported the escape to their superiors and pursued Uthien until he was recaptured. Uthien now faces additional charges of escaping while under official custody and will be further prosecuted, reported KhaoSod.