Police arrest Phuket City “serial thieves’
KATHU: Two men have been arrested for a series of robberies after they were caught on video by CCTV breaking into an apartment, Pol Lt Col Thitirat Asakit of Tung Tong Police announced this morning.
On September 29 about 11 am, Tung Tong Police Station received a call from a female student who said her laptop computer and mobile phone had been stolen from her apartment in Kathu the night before.
She was not at home when her apartment was robbed.
However, the two thieves were caught by CCTV installed in the apartment block clearing showing their faces.
After nearly a month of extensive investigation, Thung Thong police on Monday arrested Phuket native Mutthayom “Yom” Tuntipoonvinai, 21, at his house in Phuket City.
Yom confessed to the robbery, Lt Col Thitirat said, and disclosed the identity and whereabouts of his accomplice, leading police to arrest Ekkachai “Daae” Kliengsong, 22, from Nakhon Sri Thammarat, at his family home in Srisoonthorn in Thalang.
Lt Col Thitirat said that both men confessed to four other robberies.
One night in early September they stole a CD player from an apartment in Soi Samakkee 4 in Phuket City.
A few days later the pair robbed a room in Dubai apartment complex off Soi Taling Chan in heart of Phuket City, where they stole Malaysian ringitt to the value of 6,600 baht and five gold-plated amulets, which they sold for 6,000 baht. They also stole a gold bracelet, which police have confiscated as evidence.
Early this month, during daylight the couple robbed an apartment in Soi Panieng, joining Samkong and Rassada, where they stole a necklace which they sold for 20,800 baht and a gold-plated amulet the thieves had yet to sell.
A few days later, also during the day, they robbed an apartment beside the Suzuki showroom opposite Supercheap on Thepkrasattri Rd. They stole an MP3 player, some foreign currency and a 21-inch TV, which they sold for 2,500 baht.
The men have been charged with gang-robbery of an abode and using a vehicle to escape. They are being held at Thung Thong Police Station.
