Highway Police Arrest Gang of Cable Thieves on Pattaya-Mab Ta Phut Motorway

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture of arrest.

 

A gang of four thieves responsible for stealing electrical cables along the Pattaya-Mab Ta Phut motorway has been arrested by the Highway Police. The gang, which has caused millions of baht in damages, was caught red-handed attempting to cut and steal cables from an underground duct.

 

The operation was led by Pol. Col. Wanchana Thip-arth, Superintendent of Division 8, Highway Police Bureau, alongside Pol. Lt. Col. Narongrit Ngamchaeng, Chief Inspector of Highway Police Subdivision 1, and Pol. Capt. Chayachet Ittiyaphorn. The officers had been tasked with tackling the ongoing problem of cable theft along motorways after a series of incidents causing damage worth hundreds of thousands of baht each time.

 

On the night of 6 February, Pol. Lt. Singharoj Suebsong and Pol. Lt. Bandit Nualpan were patrolling the area when they received an alert from the Central CCTV Control Centre in Pattaya. The footage showed four suspects attempting to break open an underground cable duct along Motorway Route 7, near kilometre marker 114, in Bang Lamung district, Chonburi province.

 

Officers rushed to the scene and found the gang actively cutting and removing the cables. As police moved in, the suspects abandoned their stolen goods and fled into nearby cassava fields. However, after a swift pursuit, all four were captured.

 

The arrested individuals were identified as:

 

1. Thananchai Konchantuek, 44 (gang leader)

2. Singha Klaiobcheuy, 33

3. Keng Suya, 20

4. Phitak Senalai, 46

 

Police seized crucial evidence, including two motorcycles, several lengths of electrical cable (2.5m and 1.5m), wire cutters, an axe, a torch, a metal rod, a sack, and a backpack.

 

Investigations revealed that the gang had been responsible for at least 20 previous cable thefts, causing financial losses amounting to millions of baht. Thananchai, the ringleader, allegedly planned each operation, selecting the target location and working alongside Keng to cut the cables. The other two members were stationed on lookout duty and assisted in transporting the stolen goods. The gang intended to sell the copper wire extracted from the cables to scrap dealers, using the proceeds to buy methamphetamine and fund online gambling.

 

The suspects have been charged with “jointly committing theft of public utilities at night by working as a group of two or more, using a vehicle to facilitate the crime or the transportation of stolen goods.” They have been remanded in custody and will face legal proceedings.

 

Authorities have vowed to continue cracking down on infrastructure-related crimes, which pose a significant threat to public safety and result in substantial financial losses.

 

-- 2025-02-08

 

 

[HappyExpat57]

I must have missed something - when did they stop doing the finger pointing pose?

[mikebell]

I count NINE photo-cops; that's more than can be seen in a month of driving Pattaya roads.

I am pleased to see that CCTV was used at night; maybe they'll catch on to its use during the day?

[JoePai]

3 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

I must have missed something - when did they stop doing the finger pointing pose?

Maybe a cup of coffee would help you this early ?