Fugitive Officer ‘Sergeant Jack’ Arrested Over Kidnap and Extortion of Chinese Businessman

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

A fugitive police officer wanted for his role in the kidnap and extortion of a Chinese businessman has been arrested after nearly a year on the run. The suspect, known as “Sergeant Jack,” was apprehended in Pranburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

At 10:45 on 16 April, a joint police operation led by Pol. Lt. Col. Jirayut Chatcharinkul of Crime Suppression Division Subdivision 5 and Pol. Col. Hongphrom Wisitchanachai, Superintendent of Pranburi Police Station, executed an arrest warrant against Sgt. Weerayut 34, a traffic officer from Phaya Thai Police Station in Bangkok.

Sgt. Weerayut, or “Sergeant Jack”, was wanted under an arrest warrant issued on 27 June 2024 by the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct. He faces charges including extortion, illegally impersonating a public official and unlawful detention.

The arrest took place at a private residence in the Ruk Hua Hin-Pranburi housing estate in Wang Phong Subdistrict, after police surveillance confirmed his presence at the location. Officers, wearing body armour, found the suspect hiding in the living room of the house after gaining access with a locksmith. He was taken into custody without resistance and later admitted to being the person named in the warrant. He was transferred to Din Daeng Police Station in Bangkok for legal proceedings.

The case dates back to 29 April 2024, when a Chinese tourist filed a complaint with Din Daeng police, claiming that a group of men posing as police officers had abducted him from a hotel in Soi Pracha Songkhro 2. The victim was forced into a vehicle and later coerced into transferring digital currency worth approximately 4 million baht. After negotiations, he transferred 65,000 USDT (roughly 2.5 million baht) before being released.

On 3 May 2024, senior Bangkok Metropolitan Police commanders launched an intensive investigation. CCTV footage revealed three suspects wearing police uniforms escorting the victim from the 14th floor of the hotel and driving away in four vehicles.

The first three suspects identified were:

• Mr. Atthawut (alias “Boss” or “Sergeant Wut”), a former officer from Khan Na Yao Police Station;

• Mr. Teerachai;

• Mr. Napasin.

Sergeant Wut was later arrested at his home and admitted to involvement, claiming he was acting under instructions from another party.

On 1 May 2024, the Chinese victim returned to Thailand to identify the crime scenes, including a police firing range. This led to three further arrest warrants being issued. Sergeant Wut, who resigned from the police in early 2023, was already facing charges in a separate attempted theft case.

In total, 11 suspects were linked to the case, including two serving officers under the Metropolitan Police Bureau:

• Pol. L/Cpl. Phuwadet Deklee from the 191 emergency call centre (already in custody);

• Sgt. Weerayut “Jack” Phetcharat (now arrested).

On 5 May 2024, police also arrested Ms. Jarunet, a 34-year-old Laotian woman who acted as a decoy during the abduction. Posing as another victim, she travelled in the same car as Pol. L/Cpl. Phuwadet to make the ruse more convincing. After the ransom was paid, she was instructed by Sgt. Jack to wait at a hotel in Soi Vibhavadi 60. She received 350,000 baht for her role and transferred 40,000 baht to Mr. Napasin.

Ms. Jarunet later confessed to working directly under Sgt. Jack, helping prepare equipment and coordinate with the victim’s contacts to facilitate the plan.

National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panphuet stated that at least 10 individuals were involved in the plot, with arrest warrants issued for seven. Five suspects are now in custody. Three serving officers were implicated, including the recently arrested Sgt. Jack.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to dismantle the criminal network behind the elaborate extortion scheme.

-- 2025-04-16