Police Arrest Three Foreigners For Bt30mn Jewelry Heist In Phuket

[monty1412]

Im sure these would be mastermind robbers are the same ones who in texas robbed a gas station and then next day in same car and wearing same clothes went back and bought gas on credit card....

My turn for conspiracy theory and this is done in fun

1) Jeweller was dong this for tax write off but didn't realise the dumbass crooks he had hired were that dumb

2) Set up by BIB to show what a jolly good job they are doing

3) Mastermind crooks trying to win eligibility for 2013 Darwin award

But one is tempted to ask.. how come when you rent a car and its stolen its almost never recovered and you are liable for the excess and yet here the car albeit the switcharoo one is located within hours....

[NomadJoe]

This wasn't a "robbery". It was a simple theft from a parked car.

Thank you. It is frustrating how the media tends to use the more glorified, inaccurate word. Journalistic integrity is lost on the media in this country, Thai and foreign alike.

[aechzen]

the roobery cant work because the logic of thais , cleverness of russians , and beautys of malays this together never works

[sirchai]

Welcome ASEAN......

[NomadJoe]

I realize details can come from various sources but this story has had more twists than a Thai soap opera....

"a white Toyota Vios"

"a gray Toyota Vios".

"three Canadians"

"three men and two women of Spanish, Malaysian, Turkish, Russian and Thai nationalities"

"one Russian man, two Malaysian women and one Thai man"

"one Mexican"

" a Toyota Fortuner"

"a rented pickup truck,

"a rented van"

Edited May 15, 2012 by NomadJoe

[webfact]

UPDATE

Mexican, Malaysian suspects named in Phuket gem heist

Phuket Gazette

Police escort Mexican national Ruben Gonzales (wearing Mickey Mouse t-shirt) into Phuket City Police Station this morning. Photo: Kristada Meuanhawong

Malaysian national Rosulina Binti Abu Bakar was also presented as one of the key suspects in yesterday’s gem heist in Phuket. Photo: Kristada Meuanhawong

PHUKET: -- Phuket City Police have released the names of two suspects arrested in connection with the theft of 30 million baht of jewelry, diamonds and other gems from a parked car in Phuket yesterday morning.

Mexican national Ruben Dario Zapata Gonzalez and Malaysian national Rosulina Binti Abu Bakar were presented at Phuket City Police Station at 10am today.

Also present at the police station was Thongsak Chintakanroek, the man whose jewelry and precious stones they allegedly stole.

The two suspects were arrested in Trang province last night after being stopped by Highway Police, who searched the car they were travelling in.

Officers found the missing loot hidden in two separate bags inside the car.

Police this morning presented two arrest warrants issued yesterday by the Phuket Provincial Court naming Mr Gonzales and Ms Abu Bakar for their roles in committing the robbery.

Mr Gonzales and Ms Abu Bakar have each been charged with committing gang-robbery and with committing an act of violence towards property in the process of committing a robbery.

They are currently being held in custody at Phuket City Police Station.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ticle14971.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-05-15

[sandrabbit]

“While the police officers were questioning the suspects, one of the Malaysian woman, the large one, asked to use the bathroom at the police station.

“But she ended up running away from the station. We are now searching for her,” Col Jakkrapan said.

It's always the large one isn't it?

it aint over till the fat lady sings

[Payboy]

Mexican national Ruben Gonzales (wearing Mickey Mouse t-shirt)

How appropriate.

[stevenl]

I realize details can come from various sources but this story has had more twists than a Thai soap opera....

"a white Toyota Vios"

"a gray Toyota Vios".

"three Canadians"

"three men and two women of Spanish, Malaysian, Turkish, Russian and Thai nationalities"

"one Russian man, two Malaysian women and one Thai man"

" a Toyota Fortuner"

"a rented pickup truck,

"a rented van"

To add: all jewelry recovered, 1/4 part missing, to now all recovered again.

And what happened to the others detained? And is the big women still at large?

[NomadJoe]

Mexican national Ruben Gonzales (wearing Mickey Mouse t-shirt)

How appropriate.

How so?

[Payboy]

Mexican national Ruben Gonzales (wearing Mickey Mouse t-shirt)

How appropriate.

How so?

Looking at their getaway plan, I'd bet Goofy was involved too.

[Semper]

Mexican national Ruben Gonzales (wearing Mickey Mouse t-shirt)

How appropriate.

How so?

Looking at their getaway plan, I'd bet Goofy was involved too.

[TinoThailand]

All sounds like a movie where the police in it is almost perfect...

[TinoThailand]

All sounds like a movie where the police in it is almost perfect...

They sure look good, first the German from Udon in 1 day hahaha and now...

[LivinginKata]

2 inflammatory posts removed. Keep it civil, thank you.

[saroq]

Will we see any apologies from yesterday's posters who "knew it was a scam"?

And from MILT "When this story first broke I read a great number posters jumping to conclusions based on nothing that this was an insurance scam. Where are all those posters now. It is a sad statement how ridiculous and embarrassing the farangs on this forum really are.:

Are you guys for real? This is a forum where speculation and a bit of fun should be allowed. It's not a court of law. Stop taking yourselves so seriously. It's completely understandable that people would think this was an insurance scam. If it happened in the US, UK, any Western country the same conclusion would have been jumped to. Boys, get over yourselves.

[johndudorn]

Here I am thinking its 3 white men having pulled this off.

Certainly headline suggests foreigners only.

So with amazement I read, that its really only 1 foreigner ( Russian male ) 1 Thai man and then 2 Malay women.

The women hardly look "foreign" comparing with Europeans. And usually the concensus in Thailand is, that you got to have white skin, before labelled falang.

So howcome, 2 days in a row, they mention 3 foreigners ?

Fact now dictates 3 Asian and 1 falang ( foreigner )

Better headline "3 Asians arrested for Bt30Mn jewelry heist" ??

And how would they know already yesterday, that the 2 women was not Thai, just by cc footage ?

This truly is miracle Thailand :-)

First you say '1 foreigner' and then you say '1 falang (foreigner)'. You also mentioned 2 Malay women,

Since when are only farang foreigners? The headline is completely correct.

According to Thai's and Wikipedia Falang "word for someone of European ancestry, no matter where they may come from" So Malay and Thai's are not Falang!

[catweazle]

When this story first broke I read a great number posters jumping to conclusions based on nothing that this was an insurance scam. Where are all those posters now. It is a sad statement how ridiculous and embarrassing the farangs on this forum really are.

Don't know if it is the right time yet to say something like this. Also it is a rather unwise statement to say that (all?) foreigners in this forum are ridiculous and embarrasing... It is still possible that the jeweller and the crooks have some kind of arrangement. However - the most dazzling FACT is that two Malay women were identified as "foreign" by CCTV footage (this is absolutely impossible unless they both had western parents and thus no typical asian appearance) should get everyone into "hhhmmmm, wait a minute..." mode already.

Looking at the preparation work (getaway cars switched, etc. - even though it was stupid to use rentals) and the timing, plus knowing exactly where to look and what to take, shows clearly that someone had "inside knowledge".

I agree however with your post to a certain extend: No one should be branded an insurance fraudster until he/she was trialed and sentenced (if found guilty).

In any case it is a bit over the top to brand all foreigners in this forum as ridiculous and embarrassing looneys... Please let's work together and have fun instead of pointing fingers, thanks!

[jackspratt]

2 inflammatory posts removed. Keep it civil, thank you.

Ah! ............ the fine line between "inflammatory" and reality.

Edited May 15, 2012 by jackspratt

[Acemaker]

When this story first broke I read a great number posters jumping to conclusions based on nothing that this was an insurance scam. Where are all those posters now. It is a sad statement how ridiculous and embarrassing the farangs on this forum really are.

Thank you for your words of wisdom , OH GREAT ONE !

[how241]

Will we see any apologies from yesterday's posters who "knew it was a scam"?

Sounds like good police work.

[blackthorn2005]

First you say '1 foreigner' and then you say '1 falang (foreigner)'. You also mentioned 2 Malay women,

Since when are only farang foreigners? The headline is completely correct.

Hello Mr nitpick ; And usually the concensus in Thailand is, that you got to have white skin, before labelled falang.

Didn't you read that sentence ?

How about cctv footage revealing 3 foreign men ( read article from yesterday ), that now really is 1 foreign male and 1 Thai man and 2 Asian women ?

I have asked around the office, 4 Thais all agreeing that a falang ( foreigner ) must have white skin, and is not Asian.

Agree with you, a farang has white skin. I am not contesting that at all, what I am contesting is your conclusion that the header is wrong. Even if only 1 farang is involved, it are still 3 foreigners.

Don't you see you're contradicting yourself here? First you say: farang has to be white skinned, than you say: 1 foreign male, 1 Thai man and 2 asian women, so header is wrong, only 1 foreigner involved.

Sorry, not only farang are foreigners.

So don't forget to ask in the office, if 1 Russian man, 2 Malay women and 1 Thai man are arrested, how many foreigners have been arrested?

errr 7?

[stevenl]

Here I am thinking its 3 white men having pulled this off.

Certainly headline suggests foreigners only.

So with amazement I read, that its really only 1 foreigner ( Russian male ) 1 Thai man and then 2 Malay women.

The women hardly look "foreign" comparing with Europeans. And usually the concensus in Thailand is, that you got to have white skin, before labelled falang.

So howcome, 2 days in a row, they mention 3 foreigners ?

Fact now dictates 3 Asian and 1 falang ( foreigner )

Better headline "3 Asians arrested for Bt30Mn jewelry heist" ??

And how would they know already yesterday, that the 2 women was not Thai, just by cc footage ?

This truly is miracle Thailand :-)

First you say '1 foreigner' and then you say '1 falang (foreigner)'. You also mentioned 2 Malay women,

Since when are only farang foreigners? The headline is completely correct.

According to Thai's and Wikipedia Falang "word for someone of European ancestry, no matter where they may come from" So Malay and Thai's are not Falang!

Hmm, who said otherwise?

[glenmohr]

Many posters have referred to the suspects as " Farang / Falang ".

Now it seems that if the suspects are Mexicans and Malaysians there may in fact be no " Caucasions /Farang / Falangs" in the frame at all.

It may be a case of " Don't shoot till you can see the whites of their eyes !"

Then there may be more accuracy in the presentations

[gemguy]

It happens sometimes.

[SteeleJoe]

It is kinda complicated.

What word does the Thais use for foreigners ?

I would say falang (ฝรั่ง)

As you yourself pointed out "Farang" is typically used to describe Caucasians -- not foreigners in general.

I'd not even bother with this but...

There's something pretty annoying about people who charge in to say something is wrong when in fact they are wrong themselves and then refuse to admit it when it's pointed out...

[SteeleJoe]

An invitation to better minds than mine to clarify one piece of confusion.

As I understand in the 1800s the word " farang" was used in Laos to mean Frenchman.

Sometime in the last 100 years the Thais borrowed this word and use it to mean Caucasion.

Nowhere that I can find does " farang" = " foreign" .

Some clarification please.

Briefly:

The Farang - Francais thing is a common belief but almost certainly an incorrect one. The word is almost certainly of the same origin as a dozen other extremely similar words with the same meaning that exist in so many languages and are also of the Indo-European phylum of languages. And if anything "France" comes from the same origin not the other way around.

It well predates the French in the 1800's. (Guess who brought the Guava to Siam? Portuguese. They were here centuries before the 1800s. What's the Guava called in Thai?)

[khaowong1]

What a bunch of clowns. If they were Americans or Brits, they would have been long gone. As we appear to be the experts in armed robbery. But having said that, I guess it wasn't armed robbery, just snatch and run. I have my doubts about the 30 million baht number but will have to wait and see. Butch Cassidy, Jesse James and Murph the surf would be turning over in their graves with laughter by now. This little keystone cops episode wouldn't even make a good movie.

[finnomick1]

“While the police officers were questioning the suspects, one of the Malaysian woman, the large one, asked to use the bathroom at the police station.

“But she ended up running away from the station. We are now searching for her,” Col Jakkrapan said.

It's always the large one isn't it?

maybe she's ' still at large ' too..... . I can see it now. Reporter to police -- which one is at large ? Police -- the large one is at large. Oh please yourselves.

[khaowong1]

When this story first broke I read a great number posters jumping to conclusions based on nothing that this was an insurance scam. Where are all those posters now. It is a sad statement how ridiculous and embarrassing the farangs on this forum really are.

Don't know if it is the right time yet to say something like this. Also it is a rather unwise statement to say that (all?) foreigners in this forum are ridiculous and embarrasing... It is still possible that the jeweller and the crooks have some kind of arrangement. However - the most dazzling FACT is that two Malay women were identified as "foreign" by CCTV footage (this is absolutely impossible unless they both had western parents and thus no typical asian appearance) should get everyone into "hhhmmmm, wait a minute..." mode already.

Looking at the preparation work (getaway cars switched, etc. - even though it was stupid to use rentals) and the timing, plus knowing exactly where to look and what to take, shows clearly that someone had "inside knowledge".

I agree however with your post to a certain extend: No one should be branded an insurance fraudster until he/she was trialed and sentenced (if found guilty).

In any case it is a bit over the top to brand all foreigners in this forum as ridiculous and embarrassing looneys... Please let's work together and have fun instead of pointing fingers, thanks!

Nah, it's more fun to point fingers. Besides, unless they whole thing is covered up, there's a lot more to this story yet to unfold.