Crime Three Thieves Attack Police with Machetes During Botched Cable Theft

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Three men attempting to steal copper wiring from a government water pumping station in Udon Thani violently resisted arrest early morning on 27 June, attacking police officers with machetes and even biting one before being shot and subdued. All three suspects were arrested, with two injured in the struggle.

 

The incident took place at 02:00, at the P6A irrigation pumping station in Ban Phon Thong, Um Chan Subdistrict, Prachak Sinlapakhom District. Local police were alerted by a security guard who spotted suspicious activity. A team led by Pol. Lt. Col. Weerapol Moonbuapha, deputy superintendent of investigations, responded to the call.

 

Upon arrival, officers found three men in the act of stealing large water pump components and electrical cables. When ordered to surrender, the suspects attempted to flee. In the ensuing struggle, the men attacked the officers with machetes, slashing one policeman’s arm, while another officer was bitten on the body by one of the suspects.

 

In response to the escalating violence, police fired a warning shot, hitting one suspect, later identified as Mr. Rattasart, 26. He sustained a gunshot wound and was apprehended. The second suspect, Mr. Kasemchai, 23, suffered a head injury during the arrest and the third, Mr. Patipan, 17, was taken into custody unharmed. The two injured were taken to Prachak Sinlapakhom Hospital for treatment, along with two injured police officers.

 

Pol. Col. Sirimongkol Boonnun, superintendent of Prachak Sinlapakhom Police Station, confirmed that the suspects had ridden to the location on motorcycles with the intent to steal copper wiring. This was not their first offence, evidence suggests they had committed similar thefts across three districts: Nong Han, Kumphawapi, and Prachak Sinlapakhom.

CCTV footage from the pumping station showed the same group stealing wiring on 24 June at 03:57, prompting station staff to file a police report. The gang returned in the early hours of 27 June, unaware that police were lying in wait.

 

The suspects now face multiple charges, including:

 

• Theft from government property at night

• Violently resisting arrest

• Assaulting law enforcement officers

 

The injured officers, Pol. Sub-Lt. Dusit and Pol. Sgt. Anusorn, are recovering.

 

Authorities praised the response of the police team and confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine if the suspects are linked to additional thefts in the region.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-06-28