Fuel theft suspect arrested following intense high-speed police chase

[snoop1130]

 

A thrilling foot chase by the police has led to the arrest of a suspect accused of a series of fuel thefts across three provinces. The suspect, 32-year-old Natthawut, was arrested in a rented room after attempting to outrun the police.

 

Using his heavily modified white pickup truck, Natthawut had escaped several times from petrol stations, after filling up large containers with fuel. The truck was spotted with increasing frequency at various fuel theft incidents.

 

A serious incident took place on Rama II Road when a 25-year-old petrol station employee, Thad, was injured. Thad had tried to hold onto the back of the fleeing truck but fell off and hurt his arm. This incident triggered the police to investigate further.

 

Officers from the Yisarn Police Station, in collaboration with the Provincial Police Region 7 and the Crime Suppression Division, found the suspect's location. They traced his mobile phone signal to a rented room where they found lots of drums filled with fuel and engine oil.

 

When police attempted to arrest him, Natthawut broke a bathroom window and ran off through a nearby village and forest. The police chased him down through a drainage ditch and caught him after an exhausting chase, both parties covered in mud.

 

On arrest, Natthawut feigned unconsciousness and initially refused to cooperate. After identifying the vehicle used for the crimes he admitted to the thefts in Ratchaburi, Samut Prakarn, and Samut Songkhram.

 

He then confessed to the fuel thefts on June 6 in Ban Phaeo, on June 9 in Bang Thorat and Pak Tho, again on June 13 and 14 in Pak Tho, and on June 16 in Yisarn. Using his modified truck, Natthawut made a speedy escape each time.

 

Natthawut has been charged with theft by deception, using a vehicle to commit a crime, and for causing bodily harm. He will face additional charges in each of the places he has confessed to stealing from.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-06-19

 

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[richard_smith237]

3 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

A serious incident took place on Rama II Road when a 25-year-old petrol station employee, Thad, was injured. Thad had tried to hold onto the back of the fleeing truck but fell off and hurt his arm. This incident triggered the police to investigate further.

4 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Natthawut has been charged with theft by deception, using a vehicle to commit a crime, and for causing bodily harm.

 

Yup... OK, throw the book at him....   But surely the Petrol Station employee was injured through his own actions (heroism or stupidity - depends on perspective)...   

 

He tried to stop a 150 hp vehicle with body strength...   not really the fault of the 
(criminal) driver, is it ?... or is it ?... 

 

Would it also be the fault of the criminal driver if another vehicle ran a red light and hit him?

 

 

Also, I'm not sure what deception was involved in the theft...  its just outright theft.

 

Or.. is receiving the fuel before paying and then not paying considered 'deception'...   which is perhaps why in many cases (in the US and growing in the UK) we have to put our card in the petrol pump before drawing fuel....   

 

Or in some cases, pay with 'digitial payment' - i.e. apple pay (which of course, makes the whole mobile phone usage at petrol stations questionable).

 

 

 

 

 

[chickenslegs]

11 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

He tried to stop a 150 hp vehicle with body strength...   not really the fault of the 
(criminal) driver, is it ?... or is it ?... 

If the driver knew that the station attendant was holding on to the truck, but acted recklessly regarding his safety, IMO that would be an assault.

 

[richard_smith237]

6 minutes ago, chickenslegs said:

20 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

He tried to stop a 150 hp vehicle with body strength...   not really the fault of the 
(criminal) driver, is it ?... or is it ?... 

If the driver knew that the station attendant was holding on to the truck, but acted recklessly regarding his safety, IMO that would be an assault.

 

 

Would it ??

 

Running with this (a little off topic for a moment)...  If someone tries to get into my Wife's car at the lights frightens her and she drives off...  the nutter falls over and hurts themself, thats assault ??

 

(I know this case in the report is different).

[chickenslegs]

2 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Would it ??

 

Running with this (a little off topic for a moment)...  If someone tries to get into my Wife's car at the lights frightens her and she drives off...  the nutter falls over and hurts themself, thats assault ??

 

(I know this case in the report is different).

That sounds like self defence.