Australian Businesswoman’s Condo in Pattaya Robbed: Over 3 Million Baht Stolen

[Georgealbert]

 

 

Pattaya City Police received a report of a robbery at a luxury condominium in Soi 5, Pratumnak Hill, South Pattaya, Chonburi Province. The victim, a 40-year-old Australian businesswoman in real estate (referred to as Ms. Annie), was left in shock after discovering her valuables worth over 3.5 million baht had been stolen.

 

Authorities, including the local investigative unit, tourist police, and forensic experts from Region 2 Chonburi, immediately inspected the scene. The burglary took place in a ground-floor room of a high-end condo. The intruder had entered through the back door, ransacked the room, and escaped with a significant haul.

 

Among the stolen items were a Rolex watch, a Cartier watch, two Cartier bracelets, two gold necklaces, a gold ring, a pair of gold earrings, and diamond jewellery. Forensic teams collected fingerprints and other evidence from the crime scene.

 

Ms. Annie reported that she had left the condo the previous afternoon around 14:20 to celebrate Loy Krathong with her family at a private pool villa in Bang Saray, Sattahip District. When she returned the following morning, she found the room in disarray, with all valuables missing. She immediately contacted the police.

 

Investigators reviewed CCTV footage from the condo, which revealed that the suspect was a Thai male, estimated to be under 18 years old. He was dressed in a t-shirt, colorful rainbow-patterned shorts, flip-flops, and carried a black backpack. He entered the premises around 02:10 through a side entrance and scouted ground-floor units for valuables.

 

The footage showed the suspect shaking the rear glass door of Ms. Annie’s room, gaining entry, and stealing the valuables. He exited the condo on foot around 04:00, carrying his loot wrapped in a blue cloth.

 

Police have identified the suspect and are actively pursuing him to bring him to justice.

 

Picture courtesy of TMN.

-- 2024-11-17

 

 

[Captain Flack]

A troll post has been removed

[scubascuba3]

Security were asleep no doubt, they are good like that

[save the frogs]

The infamous Rolex watch rears its head again.

One of the stupidest things ever to spend your money on.

Attracts thieves, is tiny and light and the easiest and highest value per kg thing and therefore best thing to steal. 

Apart from a bar of gold maybe.

But people who own gold are smart enough not to keep it in their condos. 

 

 

[save the frogs]

28 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Security were asleep no doubt, they are good like that

he probably tipped them off and was in on it too.

[henryford1958]

Never buy a ground floor condo.

[quake]

inside job.

[jacko45k]

1 hour ago, save the frogs said:

The infamous Rolex watch rears its head again.

One of the stupidest things ever to spend your money on.

Attracts thieves, is tiny and light and the easiest and highest value per kg thing and therefore best thing to steal. 

Apart from a bar of gold maybe.

But people who own gold are smart enough not to keep it in their condos. 

 

 

Years ago in Thailand, so many were fakes that they didn't attract much attention. They have serial numbers so there is sone traceability. A ground floor condo is certainly not a secure place. 

[KhunBENQ]

Pattaya, ground floor condo, valuables.

How can one live without a half decent safe under these circumstances?

Before the usual discussion breaks loose: yes such a safe won't withstand "professionals" 

but such a teen boy.

 

Pratamnak Soi 5 is obviously a good choice for a burglar.

But was it simple luck that he made such a large catch?

Or got some "hint"?

[roo860]

 

A young kid has been arrested for the theft. 

 

Edited Sunday at 01:37 AM by roo860

[lordgrinz]

1 hour ago, roo860 said:

 

 

A young kid has been arrested for the theft. 

 

 

I'm thinking his parents must be real winners, where did he learn this behavior? 

[roo860]

4 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

I'm thinking his parents must be real winners, where did he learn this behavior? 

I missed some of the report, but a cop asked him if he could speak Thai, the kid was saying nothing, so possibly Burmese, Laotian?

[SAFETY FIRST]

4 hours ago, henryford1958 said:

Never buy a ground floor condo.

She is renting 

[CallumWK]

6 hours ago, save the frogs said:

The infamous Rolex watch rears its head again.

One of the stupidest things ever to spend your money on.

Attracts thieves, is tiny and light and the easiest and highest value per kg thing and therefore best thing to steal. 

Apart from a bar of gold maybe.

But people who own gold are smart enough not to keep it in their condos. 

 

 

 

And there was me thinking that condo's and houses are considered private premises, and have doors and windows that can be closed, to keep strangers out.

[BigStar]

5 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

But was it simple luck that he made such a large catch?

Or got some "hint"?

 

Says he tried other units as well, seems he lucked into this one.

[KhunBENQ]

2 hours ago, roo860 said:

I missed some of the report, but a cop asked him if he could speak Thai, the kid was saying nothing, so possibly Burmese, Laotian?

From Laos as I read in another article.

At least with the many Isaan people he could talk easily and many Siamese should also understand him.

[KhunBENQ]

3 minutes ago, BigStar said:

 

Says he tried other units as well, seems he lucked into this one.

That fits well.

"Soft target"

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
14 Year Old Burglar Arrested for Australian Condo Heist in Pattaya

 

 

A teenage burglar was arrested after breaking into an Australian businesswoman’s condo and stealing valuables worth over 3 million baht during the Loy Krathong festival. Pattaya police identified the 14-year-old suspect as a runaway from a local children’s home, linked to several thefts across the city.

 

Police were alerted and acted swiftly, apprehending the suspect just hours after the crime was reported. Among the recovered items were Rolex and Cartier watches, gold necklaces, bracelets, rings, and diamond jewellery. Ms. Annie, visibly relieved, praised the efficiency of the police for recovering most of her belongings.

 

The police used CCTV footage to identify the suspect, a 14-year-old Lao national referred to as “Chang” . The footage showed him entering the condominium at 02:10 through a side entrance, breaking into Ms. Annie’s room via a glass door, and leaving with the stolen items around 04:00. Police tracked the suspect’s escape route and arrested him near Nong Or Temple in Central Pattaya, approximately 6 kilometres from the crime scene.

 

Police revealed that the young suspect had recently escaped from Banglamung Children’s Home. Just days earlier. He had been sent to the facility after a failed burglary and escaped on November 14 and carried out this latest theft on November 15.

 

During questioning, the suspect admitted to the crime and pleaded with Ms. Annie not to press charges, claiming he has autism. Ms. Annie expressed concern for the teenager’s well-being, hoping authorities would provide proper care and guidance to help him reform.

 

Further investigation uncovered additional crimes linked to the suspect. Another victim came forward, identifying him as the person who stole over 20 amulets from a rental room on the same night. Clear CCTV evidence corroborated this claim.

Police have detained the teenager for further investigation, while forensic teams continue to gather evidence. Authorities are also reviewing measures at the children’s home to prevent similar incidents in the future.

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod of the suspect begging for forgiveness at the police station.

-- 2024-11-17

 

[NativeBob]

that was easy!

[Tropicalevo]

56 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

Ms. Annie, visibly relieved, praised the efficiency of the police for recovering most of her belongings.

Well done the police.

[Georgealbert]

This is Thai media coverage, showing some of the CCTV and the arrest,

 

 

[swerve]

deport

[henryford1958]

19 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

She is renting 

 

Never rent a ground floor condo

[Dave0206]

Almost 2 hrs inside the condo that was obvious had someone that could return at anytime he didn't seem to be in a rush I would not be doing this in the first place but I would want in and out pronto

[hotchilli]

On 11/17/2024 at 4:50 AM, save the frogs said:

One of the stupidest things ever to spend your money on.

Depends on your situation, it can be the best thing to have as an instant bargaining chip to trade and get you out of a sticky situation... world renowned for its value it can buy you time or a ticket ...

At home keep it well hidden or in a safe.

[mikebell]

18 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Police tracked the suspect’s escape route and arrested him near Nong Or Temple in Central Pattaya, approximately 6 kilometres from the crime scene.

So those CCTV cameras do have a use?  Just a thought; why don't the police use them to stop speedsters and red light runners so as to bring down the daily road kill?

[Bruce Aussie Chiang Mai]

On 11/17/2024 at 9:41 AM, henryford1958 said:

Never buy a ground floor condo.

Unless you intend jumping out the window

[J Branche]

She does realize for under 6000 baht you can have security cameras, door sensors and a siren installed.  You will receive alerts and video can be stored in the Cloud.  Additionally get some condo insurance.

[jaideedave]

5 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Depends on your situation, it can be the best thing to have as an instant bargaining chip to trade and get you out of a sticky situation... world renowned for its value it can buy you time or a ticket ...

At home keep it well hidden or in a safe.

Back when I was working I bought a Rolex Submariner because it was on my bucket list. I wore it for 1 year and sold it. It simply created way too much attention here in LOS and abroad while travelling.

Difficult to insure and I didn't have a safe to store while away working.

[smedly]

someone you know or condo security, they had to know your movements and that there were valuables to take, how did they gain access