A gold robbery took place on the morning of October 24, at the Lotus Mall in Chanthaburi, where a male suspect escaped with a 1-baht gold ring from the Yaowarat gold shop located inside the shopping complex.

 

The suspect, described as a man in his early 30s, was wearing a yellow short-sleeved shirt, had dark red-brown skin, and a tall, stocky build. He sported a high-cut hairstyle and was concealing his face with a mask. The man initially posed as a customer and requested to see gold necklaces and rings. After asking to purchase a gold ring weighing 1 baht, the sales clerk presented him with the item. He then asked to see another design, and when the employee turned away to retrieve it, the suspect seized the opportunity.

 

Taking advantage of the relatively quiet period in the store, the suspect quickly grabbed the 1-baht gold ring and fled the scene, running towards a red Suzuki Swift car with license plate from Chonburi. He was seen heading towards Tha Mai District in Chanthaburi. The CCTV images of his escape also shows that the car appeared to have a child onboard.

 

Local police launched a manhunt, set up checkpoints and were in pursuit of the suspect. Crime scene investigators arrived at the mall to gather evidence and expand their investigation.

 

Later on the afternoon of October 24, a concerned citizen reported a suspicious vehicle believed to have been used in the heist. The car was found abandoned in Village 3, near Huai Ta Bo, in Ang Khiri Subdistrict.

 

Pol. Col. Yodchai Champathong, Deputy Commander of Chanthaburi Provincial Police, and Pol. Col. Seksan Sriperat, Superintendent of Chanthaburi City Police Station, along with officers from the provincial investigation unit, the city police, and Makham District Police, rushed to the scene to examine the vehicle and gather evidence. It is believed the suspect and child were meet at this location by another vehicle.

 

Investigators are working to track the movements of the suspect and are confident that the abandoned car will provide crucial leads in their pursuit. The authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity as the search for the suspect continues.

 

CCTV images of the suspect.

 

-- 2024-10-25

 

 

Nice little earner I ring and nearly 44k , and these gold shops are virtually the first shop near the doors, they are almost asking to be robbed.

It was the gold shop further inside the store, opposite Dairy Queen/Mister Donut. Amazed he got away, either exit then to the carpark - exiting that carpark onto the main road is often a slow process.

 

A lot of effort stealing a car etc all for just 40k gold - no surprise if this master criminal is caught quickly trying to resell it.

 

A couple of days and he will surface.

UPDATE
Captured! Thief Steals Gold, Claims He Needed Bail Money for Previous Case

 

 

Police in Chanthaburi have arrested a man for robbing a gold shop in a major department store. The suspect claimed he committed the crime to fund his bail for a separate case involving a chainsaw offense, which required him to appear in court the same day.

 

Police teams, led by Deputy Provincial Commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Taratep Tuphanich, detained 30-year-old Akkarachai (last name withheld), early this morning at his residence in Tha Mai district. Officers found him asleep when they arrived, served the warrant, and took him into custody.

 

During questioning, the suspect confessed to the robbery, explaining he needed the money to cover living expenses and set aside funds for bail in his chainsaw case. He expressed a reluctance to attend court, citing concerns about leaving his young child without care, which he claimed motivated his decision to commit the robbery.

 

Following the heist, the suspect abandoned his vehicle near Khao Maikaew Monastery in Makham district and hid in an old house in an orchard. Authorities recovered 20,600 baht in cash from the suspect, believed to be what remained after using a portion to repay debts and purchase food and beverages.

 

At 14.00 on October 25, police escorted the suspect back to the crime scene to re-enact the incident. The suspect also provided further details on his prior thefts, which remain under investigation.
 

Authorities are considering additional charges. However, it remains unclear if he is living with his wife or if the child mentioned is indeed in his care.

 

-- 2024-10-25

 

 

 

Well that did not take long!!