Suspected Phuket ATM-heist getaway truck found dumped

PHUKET: Police believe they have found the pick-up truck used to flee an attempted ATM robbery in Thalang on January 16.

The truck was found yesterday abandoned at the entrance of a rubber-tree plantation on the border of Srisoonthorn and Pa Khlok, Lt Suporn Muangkhai of the Thalang Police told the Phuket Gazette.

Police began their search for the suspects early on January 16 after they fled without stealing any cash from the Siam Commercial Bank ATM they had ripped from the wall of a local pharmacy and attempted to open with a blowtorch (story here).

The pickup truck was reported stolen from Sapam a few hours earlier.

“We captured CCTV images of the getaway truck leaving the crime scene,” Lt Suporn said. “We believe the truck we found is the same truck used by the robbers to flee the scene.

“It was found about 12 kilometers away.”

Boonnit Makkua, 45, owner of the stolen truck, was called to the plantation to identify the vehicle.

“He confirmed that it was his truck,” Lt Suporn said.

Experts from the Phuket Forensic Police have collected fingerprints from the back of the ATM and the inside of the pick-up truck in an attempt to connect the two thefts and hopefully then identify the suspects, explained Lt Suporn.

“The truck has been taken to Thalang Police Station while we continue our investigation. We will also be questioning Mr Boonnit,” he added.

“We are keen to arrest the thieves as soon as possible.”

— Thawit Bilabdullar