Home-owners catch burglary suspect

CHALONG: Police have asked foreigners who have lost safes, cash, jewelry and other property in burglaries over the past 18 months to contact them. The call came after the arrest of a man they believe was responsible for raiding at least four foreigners’ homes in the Nai Harn area, and who appears to be connected also to a spate of burglaries of expensive homes in Bangtao and Cherng Talay. The suspect was arrested after being spotted by a Nai Harn home-owner as he was leaving the house carrying a safe. Dropping the strong box, the robber escaped but was caught later by the home-owner and a friend when he (the suspect) returned for his motorcycle, from which the home-owner had removed the keys. After ‘taking delivery’ of the suspect at Chalong station, police went to his home where they found jewelry and watches, pawn-shop tickets, five cameras, and a number of other items belonging to owners of the Bangtao and Cherng Talay properties that had been robbed in May and earlier this month. They also found new stereo equipment and a 52-inch TV which, together with the robber’s new motorcycle, are believed to have been bought with the proceeds of the 18-month burglary spree. Police investigations are currently focusing on discovering whether more people were involved in the robberies, or whether the suspect acted on his own. A 20-year-old Bangkok native, the suspect, Chumpon Mahsorn, has been taken into custody and is helping police with their inquiries. Anyone who believes their home may have been among those raided by the suspect is urged to contact the officer in charge of the investigation, Pol Capt Tanate Poungmanee, at Chalong Police Station (Tel: 381247 or 01-4767599).