Police recover B2.5mn from Phuket bank heist

PHUKET: Police this morning recovered 2.5 million baht in cash believed to have been stolen during the armed robbery of a suburban bank branch in Phuket on Wednesday.

Officers moved in at 9am and raided a house in a street opposite the Tah Reua Shrine in Thalang, Phuket Provincial Police Commander Choti Chavaviwat told the Phuket Gazette.

He also revealed that police believe the man who conducted the robbery was Anusit Kaewmookda, 31, from Nakhon Ratchasima.

The raid followed the investigators’ questioning Anusit’s wife yesterday, Col Choti explained.

“In the house, which the couple had rented, police found the 2.5 million baht, still in the same white bag that was used in the robbery. It was hidden inside a black plastic trash bag that was placed outside, at the back of the house, and covered by a cloth,” Col Choti explained.

“Officers also found the homemade handgun used in the robbery sitting on top of a dresser in a bedroom of the house,” he added.

Police are still searching for Mr Anusit.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong