Teens busted for bike thefts

PHUKET: Two teenagers suspected of stealing a total of nine motorbikes in the past few months were arrested in Phuket Town on Sunday.

The boys – one a 14 year old, the other a 17 year old – were apprehended when Phuket City Police responded to a 3am report of an accident on Surin Road in Phuket Town and found that the former had been involved in the collision and the 17 year old had gone to help him. Both were questioned further at the Phuket City Police Station.

“We had received a number of complaints concerning stolen motorbikes recently and had been on the lookout for the culprits,” said Phuket City Police Lt Naruebadin Pangleesen.

Police said that the pair confessed to stealing nine motorbikes, six of which were in their possession at the time of arrest. “They had already sold three of the stolen bikes,” said Col Naruebadin.

The six bikes in the teens’ possession had been stolen from various locations, including Patong, Wichit, “Thepkrasattri Road”, Samkong and Koh Kaew, said the colonel.

The pair were charged with theft, he confirmed.

He said that victims of the thefts could visit Phuket City Police Station to get their bikes if, and only if, they arrived with ownership documents.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong