Gun-Wielding Robbery Suspect Arrested After Failed Hold-Up & Mobile Phone Theft in Sattahip

Picture courtesy of Kaoded.

A 36-year-old man has been arrested in Bang Lamung district after previously attempting to rob a woman at gunpoint and later stealing five mobile phones and an iPad from a local grocery store in Sattahip, Chonburi province.

The suspect, identified as Mr Teerawut Supaput, was apprehended by officers from Sattahip Police Station with support from local investigation and crime suppression teams. The arrest followed a dramatic overnight manhunt after a series of crimes on 16 June.

According to police reports, the first incident occurred at around 23:00 in the Bang Saray area. A woman, 29-year-old Miss Yupha Sareenak, was riding her motorcycle near Nong Jab Tao when a man on another motorcycle pulled up alongside her and attempted to rob her at gunpoint. Fortunately, a vehicle approached from behind, startling the attacker, who fled the scene.

Shortly afterward, a second incident was reported by 32-year-old Miss Nitchawee Thanyanitivet, owner of a grocery shop in Moo 3, Sattahip. She reported that a suspicious man entered her shop under the pretence of buying goods, then slipped into the side of the building and stole five mobile phones and an iPad that were charging. He fled the scene swiftly.

CCTV footage captured the suspect’s actions, and GPS tracking from one of the stolen iPhones led authorities to a noodle shop near a 7-Eleven and the Chumphon Navy School intersection. Locals recognised the man from the footage and attempted to detain him, but he escaped during the commotion, abandoning a black Yamaha motorcycle. A search of the bike’s seat compartment revealed all five stolen phones.

A coordinated police effort led to his eventual capture the next morning in front of a convenience store in Bang Lamung. Mr Teerawut later confessed to the crimes, telling officers he had committed the offences in both Najomtien and Sattahip for the first time and had used a fake gun (a BB gun) in the attempted robbery. He explained that he initially went to buy cigarettes before asking to use a toilet behind the shop, where he spotted the unattended devices and stole them.

Following the failed robbery attempt, he fled into a nearby grassy area, discarded the fake firearm and hid until morning before taking a ride-hailing service to Pattaya, where he was finally arrested.

While in custody, the suspect received a message from a friend warning him that police were actively searching for him and that the story had made the news. Officers later recovered the discarded BB gun based on his confession.

Police confirmed that Mr Teerawut faces multiple charges, including attempted armed robbery, theft and possession of a weapon (albeit fake) with intent to commit a crime. Additional charges are expected to be filed by Najomtien Police for the initial hold-up attempt. He remains in custody pending further legal proceedings.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Kaoded 2025-06-18