Colombian Theft Duo Caught After Chiang Mai Burglary Spree

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Picture courtesy: MGR online

 

In a significant breakthrough, Chiang Mai police have captured two Colombian nationals suspected of committing a series of thefts in the area, following their audacious burglary at a Chinese family's home.

 

The suspects, identified as Mr. Cesar Armando Gomex Rodriguez, 20, and Mr. Sebastian Olaya Manrique, 26, allegedly stole items worth over a million baht, including cash, luxury watches, and a designer handbag.

 

The investigation began when Mr. Gou Sinan, a Chinese resident, reported that his family home in Karnkanok Ville Village 18 was burglarised on November 15th, between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m.

 

CCTV footage revealed one man arriving in a white sedan, followed by two men on bicycles, who pilfered the valuables before making their getaway.

Swift police action traced the suspects to a parking lot at Kad Wan Kham, within the Kad Farang project in Hang Dong district. The duo was arrested based on warrants issued by the Chiang Mai court. Authorities seized four bicycles, believed to be used in their thefts, from various locations linked to the suspects.

 

Despite denying all charges with the help of an interpreter, the two men have been implicated in a string of burglaries across Chiang Mai City and the surrounding areas, including Phu Ping Ratchaniwet and San Sai. Police suspect the stolen goods were being sent back to Colombia.

 

Pol. Maj. Gen. Thawatchai Phongwiwatchachai, leading the operation, expressed confidence in the evidence accumulated against the suspects, indicating the pair are part of a larger network.

 

Efforts are underway to apprehend additional gang members believed to have participated in these crimes, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

-- 2024-11-21

 

 

[hotchilli]

Enjoy the flight home, let's hope they catch the remaining colleagues.

[dddave]

Not the first time Colombian gangs specializing in housebreaking have operated here.  Several have been busted in the Pattaya area over the last 10 years.  Apparently, used household goods of all types get good money in S. America where import duties are extremely high.   In the Pattaya cases, they had a container waiting and would fill it directly from the truck used in the burglaries.  In Pattaya they would bribe housing estate guards to point out homes where the residents were away for extended periods, then clean entire homes out of whatever they could carry.