Serial burglar nabbed

PHUKET CITY: After a series of unsolved home burglaries, Phuket City Police finally arrested 28-year-old Wirat Nookue at his home in Rassada Village 3 on September 8.

Stolen goods valued by police at 600,000 baht were recovered.

At a press conference yesterday, Phuket City Police Superintendent Pol Col Nos Svettalekha explained that Wirat, described as a “dealer in used goods”, was spotted by police wearing an expensive amulet while eating noodles at a restaurant on Soi Kingkaew.

Noting that the amulet matched the description of one that had been reported stolen, police questioned Wirat, who apparently later confessed to having stolen it.

Police escorted Wirat to his home, where a large cache of stolen goods was found and Wirat was placed under arrest.

“The culprit, disguised as a trader in secondhand goods, entered unoccupied houses in the daytime. He usually entered through the back of the home, using a screwdriver to pry open a door or window.

“Once inside, he stole money and goods such as gold jewelry and amulets. The total value of the stolen goods was about one million baht, but we confiscated goods worth only about 600,000 baht.”

Recovered and displayed on a table in front of the thief were 88 amulets, two gold necklaces, a gold bracelet, two watches, a Motorola V31 cell phone, 30 10-baht banknotes, 14 banknotes of foreign currency, a pocket knife and a safe removed from a house in Natkamon Village.

“He confessed that he acted alone and broke into eight houses. We have notified the homeowners, who can now come to the station to identify and reclaim their property,” he said.