‘Amateur’ gold thief nabbed by Phuket Police

PHUKET: A 22-year-old Phuket man has been arrested in connection with yesterday’s brazen 950,000-baht gold heist.

Dechin Gongsinon was arrested at his home this morning after police followed a trail of clues left by the seemingly hapless thief. Mr Dechin was found in possession of two of the stolen gold chains, police said.

“The thief was an amateur,” declared Phuket City Police Deputy Superintendent Jamroon Playduong.

“He rented a motorbike and thought we wouldn’t be able to trace him, but he forgot that he left his national identification card at the rental shop,” Lt Col Jamroon said.

Police recovered the rented Honda Click yesterday, shortly after the robbery, parked at the Phuket Post Office with a gold chain hanging from the foot peg and the name and address of the rental shop emblazoned below the seat.

Upon visiting the rental shop near the Pearl Hotel in Phuket Town, police were no doubt surprised to learn that the alleged gold snatcher left his ID card when he rented the motorbike.

Police continue to search for the getaway driver and the whereabouts of gold chains still missing.

— Warisa Temram