Major break-ins reported
PHUKET: Police on Thursday reported two major robberies, including a daylight break-in at the residence of a high-ranking civil servant.
The first robbery took place in Pa Khlok late last Tuesday night or early last Wednesday morning.
Pol Maj Seksan Komsakorn of the Thalang Police told the Gazette that the break-in was reported by Winai Rattanawittayaporn, owner of the Bang Pae Wassadu construction materials shop.
The thief or thieves gained entrance by breaking through a window after the shop had closed at 6 pm on Tuesday, Maj Seksan said.
K. Winai, who discovered the break-in the following morning, needed a full day to inventory the missing goods before contacting the police about 10:30 am on Thursday, he said.
Reported stolen were 23 uncashed checks from customers with a total value of 1.9 million baht, along with 30,000 baht in cash, four large crates of cigarettes valued at nearly 200,000 baht and cell phone refill cards worth 20,000 baht.
The case is now being investigated, Pol Maj Seksan said.
About 3:30 pm on Thursday, Phuket City Police were notified of another break-in, this time at the residence of Pairoj Gaygeena, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) of Phuket City Municipality.
Phuket City Police Duty Officer Lt Salaan Rideng told police the break-in happened some time between 10 am and 2 pm.
K. Pairoj reported the robbery after returning home just after 2 pm to find the thieves had removed glass louvers to gain access to his home on Palien Rd.
The back door was left open and the home was ransacked, K. Pairoj told police.
Among the items reported missing were a .38mm pistol, a gold ring, a gold necklace and a Buddha image. The value of the haul was estimated at 190,000 baht, he added.
Detectives found fingerprints at the scene and have already identified a group of likely suspects. The daytime break-in was the first in the area, which is home to many civil servants who live in government-provided lodging, said police.
The break-in apparently occurred sometime after the victim’s maid went home and before K. Pairoj returned home, Lt Salaan said.
Police expect to charge those responsible “within two weeks”, he added.
