New Chalong Police chief announces robbery arrests

CHALONG: The new Superintendent of Chalong Police Station, Col Samarn Chainarong, yesterday announced that Chalong Police officers on Thursday arrested two of four people involved in a series of robberies and had recovered 67 stolen items.

Col Samarn said in a press release that Chalong Police had been monitoring the gang and pulled over Kaewjai Sooksabai, 35, as she was driving along Narisorn Rd in Phuket City. In her car, police found a stolen notebook computer and wireless Internet aircard, he said.

Kaewjai, who works as a parking attendant, was arrested and taken to Chalong Police Station.

Police then swooped on known-accomplice Cherdchai Thunchart, 27, at his home at an undisclosed address.

Cherdchai, originally from Trang province, was arrested and at his home police recovered 66 stolen items, including cellphones, cameras, amulets and notebook computers, said Col Samarn.

Kawejai and Cherdchai have been charged with robbery and are being held at Chalong Police Station.

Col Samarn named two accomplices to the robberies: Prasert Nasorn and Piya Thunchart.

“Kawejai sold the stolen items around the island. The other three drove around at night, looking for empty houses to rob,” he said.

“This gang robbed many people. Anybody who has had property stolen recently should come to Chalong Police Station to see if we have any of their items,” he added.

Col Samarn took up his new post at Chalong on Thursday after previous Chalong Police Superintendent, Col Chalit Kaewyarat, was transferred to Takuapa District Police Station in Phang Nga.

Col Samarn, who in 2004 served as Deputy Superintendent of Phuket Town Police Station, said that in order to boost security he has ordered an increased number of police patrols throughout his jurisdiction, which includes Kata, Karon, Nai Harn and Rawai.

A number of checkpoints have also been set up, he added.