"Ninja Thief" Arrested in Pathum Thani for Serial Thefts

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

On April 30, police apprehended Koraphak, known as "Oak" or the "ninja thief," in Pathum Thani province following a warrant issued by Taling Chan Criminal Court for fraud. The 32-year-old admitted to conducting thefts to fund his online gambling addiction and sustain his pet cats.

Police Colonel Chotiwat, from the Metropolitan Police Bureau, initiated the investigation after civic activist Kan Chomphalang identified a suspect posing as a delivery rider, who used a motorcycle to flee with goods. This modus operandi targeted areas within Police Region 1 and the Metropolitan Police's jurisdiction.

The investigation uncovered a pattern: Koraphak contacted online sellers to arrange purchases, then escaped with goods without paying. Officers eventually traced and found him hiding under a bed, covered by a wooden board, at his residence. The suspect, with an existing warrant, confessed to over 10 similar thefts.

Pol. Col. Napasilp noted initial hesitancy from victims in Lam Luk Ka and surrounding areas to report due to the small amounts stolen. However, thanks to Kan Chomphalang's disclosures, police linked Koraphak to 13 cases, precipitating police intervention.

The suspect frequently posed as a delivery rider to exploit sellers’ trust on platforms like Facebook, where he would view items before fleeing. In one instance, he even dragged a victim with his motorcycle, causing the victim to lose consciousness.

Kan Chomphalang, alongside victims at a police press conference, noted Koraphak's fame for stealing IT equipment and expressed sympathy for his mother, who must endure the fallout of her son's actions. It's reported that Koraphak has engaged in such activities since age 12, including stealing from his own family.

Friends indicated that Koraphak's delivery box came from a betrayed senior and connected his thieving past to vocational school, where thefts reportedly funded his gambling.

Police operations led to the swift six-hour capture, coordinated across 15 stations, ensuring Koraphak’s detention and further questioning. Sellers are advised to verify customer identities to avoid similar scams.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-01