Phuket Town shop burglar delivered ‘gift-wrapped’ to police

PHUKET: Phuket City Police arrived at a shophouse in response to a burglar alarm raised early yesterday morning, only to find the thief already bound up.

“We went to the scene with Kusoldham rescue workers. The entrance to the clothing shop on Soi Surin [near The Metropole Hotel] was locked. We had to break the lock to enter the building.

“Inside, there were obvious signs of a struggle… and a man was laying in the middle of the room. His hands were tied up with clothes and he was wearing jeans and a white t-shirt covered with blood,” said Phuket City Police Somachai Nhuboon.

The 23-year-old man, Somchai Jiamsantia, was found with 800 baht in his wallet, which police suspect was stolen from the shop.

In addition to the injured Mr Somchai, the shopowner, Sornchai Sriluck, 47, was also injured in a scuffle with the alleged thief.

“The man climbed through our restroom on the third floor and then went downstairs to the clothes shop to search for valuables,” alleged Mr Sornchai.

“My wife and I were asleep on the third floor. I heard dogs barking, so I came downstairs to check if everything was okay,” he said.

“I caught the suspect searching for items and we got into a fight,” he explained.

During the fight Mr Somchai says he used a piece of glass to cut Mr Sornchai.

“I fought back until I was able to tie him up,” Mr Sornchai said.

Kusoldham rescue workers administered first aid to both men before taking them to Vachira Phuket Hospital.

Capt Somchai added that Mr Somchai was released recently from prison after serving a sentence for a previous theft.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong