Swiss swindler arrested after stabbing policeman
THALANG: Swiss national Carlos Minnig, 39, yesterday stabbed a Tourist Police officer while resisting arrest for extorting “protection money” from a fellow Swiss national.
The arrest followed complaints from Swiss businessman Rene Langansand, 42, that Minnig claimed to be an Interpol agent and offered protection services for Mr Langansand’s Koh Lanta business – for a fee.
According to a Tourist Police press release, at 5:30 pm yesterday Mr Langansand filed a complaint at Phuket City Police Station claiming that Minnig, 39, had made phone calls and sent text messages to his wife, Atchara Yoongthong.
In the messages, Minnig allegedly threatened to kill Langansand’s entire family if protection money was not paid by yesterday evening.
Phuket Tourist Police Inspector Maj Bundit Khaosutham ordered an undercover officer to accompany the businessman to the arranged delivery spot, a house in Pru Somparn Village, Tambon Thepkrasattri, Thalang.
When the pair arrived at the scene, Minnig ordered Mr Langansand to get out of the car and lie face down on the ground. Minnig then produced a pair of handcuffs and ordered Mr Langansand to put his hands behind his back.
The undercover officer and two more Tourist Police officers doing surveillance then moved in to arrest Minnig, who stabbed one of the officers before he could be detained. The officer sustained only minor injuries.
On searching Minnig, officers found a package of cannabis hidden in a cigarette packet. Minnig confessed to having bought the drug in Koh Lanta, police said.
During questioning at the Phuket Tourist Police Office, Minnig failed to produce his passport.
He has been charged with extortion, resisting arrest, possession of a Class 5 drug (cannabis) and illegal entry into the Kingdom.
“We think that Minnig was not working alone,” Maj Bundit said. “We are now tracking down his accomplices,” he added.
