Brit nabbed for theft of B245,000 ring

PHUKET TOWN: Thomas James Wynn, 36, from Liverpool, England, was arrested today and charged with theft after allegedly stealing a quarter-million-baht diamond ring from Pornthep Gems on Montri Rd this morning. The shop’s owner, Thanongsak Sakasamekit, said that Wynn came into his shop and asked to see diamond rings with him. “I let my wife take care of him. He asked to see several rings, and spent a lot of time bargaining over the price before giving the rings back to us.” A shop assistant realized, he said, that one ring was missing. K. Thanongsak added, “[Wynn] strolled away. I called after him but he didn’t stop, so I called louder and then asked a passing policeman for help. “The officer made him stop, and he raised his hands. As he did so, the ring dropped to the ground, so the officer arrested him and took him to the Phuket Town Police Station.” The officer, Pol Cpl Thaweesak Sawasraksa, said, “I saw him walking by with his head down. When I told him to stop, he raised his hands and a diamond ring dropped from his hand to the ground. He looked frightened.” Cpl Thaweesak said that the gold ring, which held a 1.05-karat diamond, was valued at 245,000 baht. Wynn was charged with theft. At first, he denied the charge but, when told that he would remain in the police cells whether or not he signed an admission of guilt, he decided to sign. Wynn is being held in custody until he appears in court on Monday.