German-Thai couple nabbed for Phuket burglary

KAMALA: A German and his Thai girlfriend were arrested Wednesday for burglary and possession of stolen goods after the couple’s alleged victim spotted one of them carrying her missing handbag in Kamala, police said.

Natthapakin Kuanchaipruek, superintendent at Kamala Police Station, presented Karsten Lange, 45, and his girlfriend Pattranit Morida, 29, at a press conference yesterday.

Police said Mr Lange was not new to the game, as he was arrested for burglary and drugs possession in Kamala last year.

However, Mr Lange has denied the current charges and is being held at the police station, officers said.

On May 15, Wiyada Ruengsak, 32, reported to police that many of her belongings were stolen from her home in Kamala. Among the items missing were a handbag, Elle-brand purse, 20 pairs of earrings, two necklaces, 10 bottles of brand-name perfume, two T-shirts, three watches and some nail polish.

On Wednesday, Ms Wiyada saw a woman in Kamala holding her missing handbag and wearing some of her jewelry, prompting her to call the police and provide information that led to the arrest of Ms Pattranit.

Police said that Ms Pattranit confessed to the burglary, saying her partner-in-crime was Mr Lange.

The German was subsequently arrested in Patong, where police found what they believe to be more stolen goods in the house he shares with Ms Pattranit.

Mr Lange claimed all of the items were legally bought by him.

Ms Pattranit was released on 400,000-baht bail.

Police are investigating whether or not other items seized from Mr Lange’s house, including a 42-inch television set and CD player, were stolen in other burglaries.

— Atchaa Khamlo