Phuket police nab “serial thieves’

PHUKET: An investigation into a spate of robberies in northern Phuket has led to three arrests, but police believe the break-and-enter gang’s ringleader is still at large.

Thalang Police Superintendent Witun Kongsudjai, yesterday, presented the three suspects charged with being “sneak thieves” and receiving stolen property.

The suspects were Subandit “Bee” Boonsit, 27, Kittisak Wongsaard, 36, and Somyot Taweesaeng, 44, all residents of Thalang.

Lt Col Weerayut Sittirattanakul explained that since the beginning of the month Thalang Police had received numerous reports of people’s homes being robbed.

“Our investigation led us to a house in Tambon Thepkrasattri, where Subandit was living,” he said.

Inside the house, officers found a strong box, a variety of amulets and an MP3 player, all reported as stolen, said Col Witun.

During questioning, Subandit told police he had received all the seized items from a man he named only as “Dam”.

“Subandit also said he sold one stolen computer to Kittisak for 2,500 baht, and Somyot was arrested because Sunbandit said that Dam had left some items at his house. Somyot is Dam’s relative,” Lt Col Weerayut said.

Col Witun explained that officers seized a Samsung computer from Kittisak’s house and seized one cell phone and one video camera from Somyot’s house.

However, Kittisak is denying the charges, added Col Witun.

He urged all residents in Thalang to report any suspicious behavior of strangers lurking around homes.

“If you see any people hanging around suspiciously, please report it to the police,” he said.

Lt Col Weerayut added that Dam is experienced in break-and-enters.

“During our investigation we found that Dam has already served a prison sentence on charges of being a ‘sneak thief’. He was released just a month ago,” he said.

— Warisa Temram