An Indonesian gang specialising in pickpocketing was apprehended at a well-known shopping centre in Bangkok and swiftly brought to justice by police following a report from a Japanese victim. The culprits were caught yesterday (January 25) at around 8am, shortly after their ill-fated heist.

 

The swift police action led to the recovery of a cache of items and the confession of the gang members, who now face charges for their crimes.

 

On Wednesday, January 24, a Japanese national, Yoshimune Yoshida, fell victim to a pickpocketing incident in a popular Sukhumvit shopping mall. Yoshida had just exchanged a substantial amount of US dollars, approximately 310,000 Thai baht (US$8,694), and placed the money in his backpack, which he carried on his back while shopping. Within minutes, his money was gone, believed to have been stealthily taken by the gang.

 

The police, led by Deputy Chief of Thonglor Police Station Pansak Amrapitak and Lieutenant Akkrapol Thantham, alongside the investigative team, quickly examined CCTV footage from the mall. They identified a suspect monitoring Yoshida from outside the currency exchange before following him.

 

by Nattapong Westwood 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-26

 

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Wow, 13 of them in one gang !

18 hours ago, webfact said:

The police, led by Deputy Chief of Thonglor Police Station Pansak Amrapitak and Lieutenant Akkrapol Thantham, alongside the investigative team, quickly examined CCTV footage from the mall. They identified a suspect monitoring Yoshida from outside the currency exchange before following him.

At any cash outlet the utmost caution must be taken...

A backpack on your back with a load of money is crazy, at least swing it around in front of you so that you are more aware of what's going on.

Well done RTP. Credit where due.

18 hours ago, webfact said:

Yoshida had just exchanged a substantial amount of US dollars, approximately 310,000 Thai baht (US$8,694)

 

Interesting that they scout the money exchange for victims.

 

 

18 hours ago, webfact said:

Yoshida had just exchanged a substantial amount of US dollars, approximately 310,000 Thai baht (US$8,694), and placed the money in his backpack, which he carried on his back while shopping. Within minutes, his money was gone, believed to have been stealthily taken by the gang.

....i'll never understand why people carry around so much cash in places where pickpockets are rife. 

12 minutes ago, Pique Dard said:

....i'll never understand why people carry around so much cash in places where pickpockets are rife. 

I would hate to say but stupid people are everywhere and do stupid things all the time... 

I take my hat off to any pickpocket that can steal a man's shoes when he's stood in them !

Always wise to use a backpack with a hidden zip pocket on the side between the back and backpack to discourage pickpocketing. 

11 minutes ago, Ctkong said:

Always wise to use a backpack with a hidden zip pocket on the side between the back and backpack to discourage pickpocketing. 

No, use a front pack.

Give them sharia law- hands off!