Crime Armed Robbery at Chonburi Gold Shop – Off-Duty Police Officer Injured

[Georgealbert]

 

Pictures courtesy of Amarin.

 

A brazen armed robbery occurred at the Lotus Baan Suan shopping complex in Chonburi’s Mueang District on the morning of 26 June, with a gold shop targeted and a police officer injured in a dramatic attempt to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

 

The incident occurred at the Yaowarat Gold Shop, where an armed man stormed in shortly after 08:55, seizing gold with a total weight of 38 baht, comprising two 10-baht chains and two 9-baht chains. The stolen items are valued at nearly two million baht.

 

The suspect, believed to be a man in his 30s of medium build, made his getaway on a black Honda Click motorcycle, exiting via a rear entrance and heading towards the bypass road.

 

 

As the suspect attempted to flee, he encountered Police Senior Sergeant Major Sompong Fongda of Region 2 Police’s Special Operations Subdivision, who happened to be passing the scene on his own motorbike while off duty. In a courageous move, Sgt. Maj. Sompong confronted the armed robber, resulting in a violent struggle.

 

Reports state that the suspect opened fire during the confrontation. One bullet struck the officer’s helmet and he was thrown to the ground, sustaining abrasions across his body. The suspect’s firearm, identified as a Kimber-brand pistol, was left at the scene, apparently dropped during the scuffle.

Emergency services arrived swiftly and Sgt. Maj. Sompong received immediate medical attention, but his injuries are not serious.

 

The suspect remains at large and a manhunt has been launched involving multiple police units. CCTV footage from the shopping centre and surrounding roads is being reviewed as investigators track the escape route.

 

According to eyewitnesses, including a vendor across from the gold shop, the assailant appeared to have planned the heist in advance, waiting for the right moment to strike.

 

Police are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has dashcam footage from the area around the time of the robbery to come forward and assist with the investigation.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-06-26

 

 

 

[hotchilli]

One very lucky police officer.... 

[tandor]

that was a close call..brave work Sergeant.

 

[black tabby12345]

I know these men in uniform here  leave their service weapons at their station when they get off their shift.

 

But no execeptions in any circumstances?

[CanadaSam]

Wow, I didn't know helmets can stop bullets!  Lucky cop!

[tandor]

14 hours ago, black tabby12345 said:

I know these men in uniform here  leave their service weapons at their station when they get off their shift.

 

But no execeptions in any circumstances?

they own their own sidearms..its up to them whether they leave it at work..depends on their duties and where they're stationed.

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Gold Heist Suspect Jumps to Death After Armed Robbery

 

Picture courtesy of Workpoint.

 

Police in Chonburi have closed a high-profile armed robbery case after the prime suspect, was confirmed dead following a suicide plunge from a six-storey condominium.

 

The incident began earlier in the day when a lone gunman stormed a gold shop inside a shopping mall in Mueang District, Chonburi. Armed with a handgun, the man posed as a customer before drawing the weapon and forcing staff to hand over four gold necklaces, two weighing 10 baht each and two weighing 9 baht, totalling 38 baht in weight.

 

CCTV footage captured the suspect, dressed in a long-sleeved dark grey shirt, wearing a pink cap and a face mask, as he calmly entered the shop and carried out the robbery. He quickly stuffed the stolen gold into a bag and fled the scene.

 

As police officers responded to the alarm, one off duty officer, who happened to be nearby on unrelated business, attempted to intervene. He was assaulted and injured by the fleeing suspect but managed to wrestle the firearm from him.

 

Later, at approximately 11:30, Don Hua Lo Police Station and local rescue volunteers were alerted to a man who had fallen from the sixth floor of an old condominium in the same district. The unidentified man, estimated to be around 45 years old, was found in critical condition, bleeding from the mouth and nose. He was unresponsive and later died at Chonburi Hospital.

 

A swift investigation led by Pol. Maj. Gen. Thawatchkiat Jindakornsanan, Chonburi Provincial Police Commander, traced the man’s movements via CCTV. Officers discovered that the deceased, identified as Mr. Piyapong, was the same person who had robbed the gold shop just hours earlier. He had returned to a condominium he previously lived in over a decade ago and leapt from the sixth floor in an apparent suicide.

 

A subsequent search of the suspect’s home uncovered a large number of debt collection letters, suggesting he may have been suffering from severe financial stress and personal issues. Police believe this may have been the motive behind the robbery.

 

Authorities are now working to trace the missing gold, which was not found on the suspect at the time of his death. Investigators are reviewing his movements to determine where he may have hidden the stolen jewellery and are preparing to interview family members for further clues.

 

“We are confident that the suspect in the gold robbery and the man who jumped from the building are one and the same,” confirmed Pol. Maj. Gen. Thawatchkiat. “All evidence, including CCTV footage and vehicle registration, aligns conclusively. We are now focused on recovering the stolen gold and returning it to the rightful owner.”

 

The case, though closed in terms of criminal prosecution, leaves behind unanswered questions regarding the final moments and mindset of a man seemingly driven to desperation.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Workpoint 2025-06-27

 

 

 

[jacko45k]

16 hours ago, black tabby12345 said:

I know these men in uniform here  leave their service weapons at their station when they get off their shift.

 

But no execeptions in any circumstances?

They do?

I once had an incident on a train where a drunk one was waving a weapon about, perhaps he was still on duty!

[KhunLA]

Leave gun at station when off duty ... total BS.

 

Someone doesn't follow the news much, as been plenty of drunken off duty shooting incidents.

[Emdog]

20 hours ago, black tabby12345 said:

I know these men in uniform here  leave their service weapons at their station when they get off their shift.

 

But no execeptions in any circumstances?

"He (the policeman) was assaulted and injured by the fleeing suspect but managed to wrestle the firearm from him (the thief)." So the gun in the story was not the cops, full stop. We don't know if the off duty cop had his gun, however.... Tho you might assume he would draw it if attempting to take down a fleeing suspect

[black tabby12345]

4 hours ago, jacko45k said:

They do?

I once had an incident on a train where a drunk one was waving a weapon about, perhaps he was still on duty!

 

While here, I have seen cops on duty consume booze during their lunch breaks several times.

[black tabby12345]

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Leave gun at station when off duty ... total BS.

 

Someone doesn't follow the news much, as been plenty of drunken off duty shooting incidents.

 

I once again checked out.

In Thailand, they can either choose to bring their service weapons home, or leave them at the station.

 

So looks like it is up to each individual cop.

 

While I see quite a few cops in uniform(in Chiang Mai) not wearing their guns while their red shoulder moldings are not with them(indicator of their duty status: On or Off.