Frenchman charged with shoplifting

PATONG: A 68-year-old Frenchman has been charged with stealing leather goods valued at more than 30,000 baht from the Findig store on the Patong beach road.

Capt Naruwat Phutharaviro of Kathu Police Station told the Gazette that he received a call from Findig shop manager Nathaya Prasomthong, 34, at 4:20 pm yesterday.

K. Nathaya reported that a well-dressed foreign tourist had been caught stealing seven items from the store, he said.

Police arrived at the store and arrested Jacques Andre Roland Marecaux, charging him with stealing five crocodile leather bags, a wallet and a pair of crocodile leather shoes.

“Marecaux lives with a French friend in Kathu. He had come to the shop many times but never bought anything,” Capt Naruwat said.

“Shop staff have been keeping an eye on customers over the past couple of days after they found that leather bags were missing from the store. They kept an eye on Marecaux as he was carrying a big bag while looking around the shop, and then they finally caught him,” he added.

Capt Naruwat said that Marecaux had confessed to the charges.

“Once his case has been heard in court we will hand his case over to Immigration for further action,” said Capt Naruwat.