Fugitive Arrested Days Before Statute of Limitations Expiry in 2005 Murder Case

Picture courtesy of CIB.

Police have arrested a man wanted for nearly two decades in connection with a fatal shooting in 2005, just nine days before the statute of limitations on the case was due to expire.

Officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), in coordination with the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), apprehended the suspect, Mr. Sukree, outside a residence in Moo 1, Nam Tan subdistrict, In Buri district, Sing Buri province. He is accused of murder under a long-standing arrest warrant.

The arrest stems from a violent altercation that took place on 4 August 2005 in Phichit province. Mr. Sukree, then part of a group of approximately ten individuals, reportedly became embroiled in a dispute with a rival group. The confrontation escalated, with the suspects later travelling to the home of the victim in Ban Bung subdistrict, Mueang Phichit district, where they opened fire using a shotgun, killing the victim at the scene.

Following the incident, Mr. Sukree fled Phichit province and successfully evaded capture for nearly 20 years. The statute of limitations on the case was set to expire in just over a week.

Recently, officers received intelligence indicating that the fugitive was hiding in the Nam Tan area of Sing Buri province. At approximately 10:00 on 24 July, a police team was dispatched to the scene, where they located a man matching the suspect’s description standing outside a house. Officers approached and identified themselves, showing their credentials and presenting the outstanding arrest warrant.

After verifying the suspect’s identity and confirming that he had not previously been apprehended under the warrant, police arrested him. His legal rights were explained and he was subsequently transported to In Buri Police Station for processing.

He has since been transferred to Mueang Phichit Police Station for further investigation and legal proceedings.

This successful operation was conducted under the direction of Pol Lt Gen Jiraphop Bhuridej, Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau; Pol Maj Gen Wittaya Sriprasertphap, Commander of the Crime Suppression Division; and Pol Col Ekasit Pansita, Superintendent of Subdivision 4, CSD.

  Adapted by Asean Now from CIB 2025-07-26