Clean getaway: Woman nabbed for laundry shop theft in Phuket
The tranquillity of Phuket’s Phra Metta Road was shattered after a local laundry shop fell victim to an audacious theft. A 30 year old woman was apprehended by the Patong Police for pilfering a bag of laundered clothes from the TOKI WASH laundry shop.
The arrest took place in a rented room on Soi Manee Thong, off Ratchapathanusorn Road, where Chitchamai Naithong from Chaiyaphum Province was located. Upon her capture, police discovered the stolen laundry items that she had taken from the shop in the pre-dawn hours on February 10.
The theft came to light when Chawarat Daowathanakit, the 29 year old owner of the laundry shop, reported it to the Patong Police Station on February 10. Chawarat noticed the missing bag upon his arrival at the shop and immediately turned to the CCTV footage for clues, reported The Phuket News.
The CCTV recording revealed an individual entering the shop at around 4.16am. The intruder was seen inspecting the bag, then swiftly leaving the premises with it a mere seven minutes later, at 4.23am.
The Patong Police, having been alerted, launched an investigation and ultimately tracked down the thief, leading to Chitchamai’s arrest. As part of the operation, the authorities seized the clothes and shoes she wore during her illicit endeavour.
To further solidify the case, police also laid claim to the stolen laundry items. These consisted of a white and blue LEVI’S brand T-shirts, a black Camp David T-shirt, a pair of white shorts from Zara, another pair of white shorts from Minishop and a pair of blue jeans from Galleries Lafayette.
Following her arrest, Chitchamai was escorted to the Patong Police Station. She was subsequently charged with theft at night. The motive behind Chitchamai’s decision to carry out the theft, however, remains shrouded in mystery, as no explanation was provided. As the case unfolds, this curious incident continues to baffle both the local community and authorities alike.
