Father, son arrested for Phuket bag-snatch

PHUKET: Police arrested a father-and-son bag-snatching duo for robbing a woman in Phuket Town yesterday, allegedly in order to make payments for the motorbike used in the crime.

Officers arrested Narongchai Aroonmek, 39, and his 15-year-old son at a rented room in Rassada at about 7pm.

“We tracked them down after reviewing CCTV footage in the Vanich Road area of Phuket Town, where the crime took place,” explained said Lt Col Somsak Thongkliang of the Phuket City Police.

The search for the pair began at about 8:40am after Niaaseeyoh Nissi, 35, reported that her bag had been snatched.

“She gave descriptions of the two males and the motorbike they were riding,” Col Somsak said.

Police tracked the suspects down to their rented room, where the motorbike was parked.

Officers found the father and son in possession of Ms Niaaseeyoh’s Nokia mobile phone and the 3,000 baht cash that she reported as stolen.

“They confessed that Mr Narongchai drove the motorbike while his son snatched the victim’s bag,” Col Somsak said.

“Mr Narongchai took full responsibility for the crime. He said that he did it because he didn’t have enough money to pay what he owed for the motorbike, so he asked his son to help him commit the crime.”

Regardless, both Mr Narongchai and his son were charged for the theft.

“They are now in custody at the Phuket City Police Station awaiting further legal process,” Col Somsak said.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong