Thieves cash in on dark and stormy night

PHUKET CITY: While storm winds whipped through Phuket City on Tuesday night, thieves made off with about 90,000 baht in cash after breaking into a Christian foundation at Phun Pol Night Plaza.

Lt Col Ampolwat Saengrueng, duty inspector of Phuket Police Station, told the Gazette, “Burglars broke into the New Life Foundation at 74/123 Phun Pol Night Plaza. They scaled a wall at the rear of the building, then removed louvers to enter a work room on the second floor.

“The burglars pried open work desks, making off with about 90,000 baht in cash they found there,” he said.

“Although we have fingerprints and footprints of the burglars at the scene, and I have interviewed all the people who work at the foundation, we have yet to determine a prime suspect,” said Col Ampolwat.

Police couldn’t find any witnesses to the break-in, he said.

In another break-in at building with a religious affiliation on the same night, persons unknown made off with Jatukham Ramathep amulets worth a total of about 10,000 baht from Wat Sapam on Thepkrasattri Rd.

Yuwadee Yuthitham, a volunteer worker at the temple, told the Gazette, “Burglars pried open a glass cabinet that contained Jatukham amulets valued at more than 10,000 baht. We have already reported this to Phuket Police Station,” she said.

Police officials in Ranong report that they have arrested a suspect in the theft of the amulets, but are awaiting further evidence and reports from Phuket.