Thief With Good Manners Steals Gold Necklaces After Removing Shoes

[Georgealbert]

 

 

In a bizarre robbery, a man stole two gold necklaces worth approximately 180,000 baht after removing his shoes before entering the gold store. The incident occurred at around 13:00 on November 12, at the Yaowarat Ketuam Gold Shop located at 67/7 Moo 6, Bang Torat Subdistrict, Mueang District, Samut Sakhon.

 

Lieutenant Colonel Phanitnan Buakiew, Deputy Investigation Officer at Bang Torat Police Station, received the report of the theft. A team including Police Colonel Teeradech Athipakakul, Deputy Commander of Samut Sakhon Provincial Police, Police Colonel Surasak Sithachoktham, Superintendent of Bang Torat Police Station, investigators, and forensic officers were dispatched to the scene.

 

According to witnesses, the thief, a man in his 30s with a medium build, arrived wearing a black hooded jacket. He carefully removed his black sandals and placed them outside the shop before walking in. Pretending to inquire about gold necklaces, he seized the opportunity when the staff was distracted, grabbing two gold chains, each weighing 2 baht, for a total weight of 4 baht.

 

The thief then fled the scene and drove away on a white and red Honda Wave motorcycle without a license plate, heading toward Wat Bandhanusingh, a nearby temple in Bang Torat.

 

Police Colonel Teeradech Athipakakul commented that the suspect had surveyed the area twice earlier in the morning before committing the crime. Surveillance footage confirmed that the thief was alone, did not wear a helmet, and used a motorcycle without a license plate. 

 

Authorities are currently reviewing CCTV footage and tracking the suspect’s escape route. The police have vowed to apprehend the thief as soon as possible and bring him to justice.

 

 

Picture from CCTV

-- 2024-11-13

 

[spermwhale]

It's great that the writer does the math for us. I was so confused by the big numbers:
"each weighing 2 baht, for a total weight of 4 baht."

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Caught, “Polite” Robber Who Removed Shoes Before Stealing Gold to Fund Engagement

 

 

In a unique twist on crime etiquette, police have apprehended a man who courteously removed his shoes before entering a gold shop to commit theft. The suspect, identified as Somlak Janthongtae, 32, allegedly stole two gold necklaces totalling four baht in weight to raise money for his upcoming engagement.

 

The incident took place on November 12 at Yaowarat Ketum Gold Shop, located near Wat Ketumdee Sriwararam in Bang Thorat, Samut Sakhon Province. Surveillance footage showed Somlak, wearing a black hoodie and face mask, entering the shop barefoot and then fleeing with the necklaces, worth approximately 180,000 baht, leaving his shoes behind as evidence.

 

Following the robbery, Somlak reportedly escaped on a motorbike, navigating narrow alleyways before abandoning the bike and taking a taxi to Maha Chai city center, where he sold the necklaces at a local gold store for around 162,000 baht.

 

By the afternoon of November 13, police had tracked Somlak’s movements as he boarded a bus to northern Thailand. Officers intercepted him at Pluak Sung intersection in Phichit Province, finding 160,000 baht in cash from the stolen gold’s sale, as well as the black hoodie he wore during the robbery.

 

According to Police Colonel Teeradej Athipakkul, Somlak explained that he was simply following a shop sign requesting customers to remove their shoes before entry. Somlak also reportedly expressed remorse to shop staff during a crime scene reenactment, apologising with a respectful wai gesture.

 

He is now facing charges of robbery, while authorities continue their investigation into the incident.

 

Picture from reenactment.

-- 2024-11-14