German Arrested For Stealing 201 Million Baht

[george]

Wanted German's run ended

Romuald Mariusz Wanatowicz, 50, a German national arrested for stealing 4.3 million euros (201 million baht) in Germany before fleeing to Thailand. Immigration police say he married a Thai woman and opened a restaurant as a front in Prachuap Khiri Khan.

BANGKOK: -- A German man accused of stealing 4.3 million euros (201 million baht) in security van hold-ups in 1999 and 2003 has been arrested in Thailand after two years on the run and will be deported, immigration police said yesterday. A Bangladeshi man found carrying fake passports will also be sent back home.

Romuald Mariusz Wanatowicz, 49, was arrested on Monday in Lampang province where he lived with his Thai wife.

Residents had reported him for suspicious behaviour, saying he was flaunting his wealth in the poor rural area.

Police contacted the German embassy and learnt Mr Wanatowicz's passport had been revoked and a warrant for his arrest issued in Germany in October last year.

A Bangladeshi police said used one name, Sayed, was arrested in Bangkok on Monday with five counterfeit Indian passports and a fake French one, and a credit card bearing his photograph but with the name of Damak Bin Hassan, police said.

He was charged with counterfeiting official documents that allegedly involved giving fake passports to Bangladeshis to help them migrate to Malaysia for work, police said.

--Agencies 2006-02-22

[george]

Wanted German thief arrested in Thailand

BANGKOK: -- Thai police have arrested a German national wanted in his homeland for allegedly stealing 5 million euros (nearly 6 million dollars) from bank delivery vans, Thai immigration police said Tuesday.

Romuald Mariusz Wanaatowicz, 49, was arrested Monday in Lamphang province, 500 kilometres north of Bangkok, after Thai police had confirmed he faced an arrest warrant in Germany for robbery, said the immigration police commissioner, Lieutenant General Suwat Thamrongsrisakul.

Wanaatowicz is accused of participating in two bank van robberies in 1999 and 2003. Two of his suspected accomplices were arrested in Germany after the robberies, but Wanaatowicz fled to Thailand on September, 27, 2004, said Suwat, citing information obtained from German Interpol.

Wanaatowicz moved to Prachuab Khiri Khan province, a seaside town 220 kilometres south of Bangkok, where he opened a restaurant and tour company with his Thai wife and built a house.

"Prachuab police got suspicious about Wanaatowicz's unusual wealth, so inquiries were made with the German embassy about his background," Suwat told a press conference.

Wanaatowicz's fondness for luxury items was also demonstrated in Germany. "He used a BMW to stage his robberies," Suwat said.

In an apparent effort to avoid increased police scrutiny, Wanaatowicz moved to the quiet town of Lamphang in October.

Suwat said the German embassy had revoked Wanaatowicz's passport prior to his arrest, giving them legal grounds to arrest and deport him. The robbery suspect is to remain in Immigration Jail in Bangkok until his deportation.

--DPA 2006-02-22

[snoophound]

So the moral of the tale is "Do not flaunt your wealth in Rural Thailand"

Wanted German's run ended

Romuald Mariusz Wanatowicz, 50, a German national arrested for stealing 4.3 million euros (201 million baht) in Germany before fleeing to Thailand. Immigration police say he married a Thai woman and opened a restaurant as a front in Prachuap Khiri Khan.

BANGKOK: -- A German man accused of stealing 4.3 million euros (201 million baht) in security van hold-ups in 1999 and 2003 has been arrested in Thailand after two years on the run and will be deported, immigration police said yesterday. A Bangladeshi man found carrying fake passports will also be sent back home.

Romuald Mariusz Wanatowicz, 49, was arrested on Monday in Lampang province where he lived with his Thai wife.

Residents had reported him for suspicious behaviour, saying he was flaunting his wealth in the poor rural area.

Police contacted the German embassy and learnt Mr Wanatowicz's passport had been revoked and a warrant for his arrest issued in Germany in October last year.

A Bangladeshi police said used one name, Sayed, was arrested in Bangkok on Monday with five counterfeit Indian passports and a fake French one, and a credit card bearing his photograph but with the name of Damak Bin Hassan, police said.

He was charged with counterfeiting official documents that allegedly involved giving fake passports to Bangladeshis to help them migrate to Malaysia for work, police said.

--Agencies 2006-02-22

[slim]

Residents had reported him for suspicious behaviour, saying he was flaunting his wealth in the poor rural area.

or his wife was - more likely

Edited February 22, 2006 by slim

[crocodilexp]

Seems like an honest thief -- he had balls, took a risk, and stole the dough... too bad he wasn't smart enough to keep it. He should known better and kept an EXTREMELY low profile.

[jaapfries]

Residents had reported him for suspicious behaviour, saying he was flaunting his wealth in the poor rural area.

or his wife was - more likely

================================================================

If you have nothing sensible to say, why waste all of our time ? ? ? ? ? ?

What a stupid thing to say ! !

[gerryfarang]

Residents had reported him for suspicious behaviour, saying he was flaunting his wealth in the poor rural area.

or his wife was - more likely

================================================================

If you have nothing sensible to say, why waste all of our time ? ? ? ? ? ?

What a stupid thing to say ! !

Agree, just more angry mail farang talk. Why take a shot at the wife? This guy sounds like he had it made and he blew it by showing off. He did the crime got away with it, was married in rural thai living a nice comfortable life. Like the other poster said, keep a low profile and your set for life. Hope he enjoy he enjoys his German jail cell.

[cookiesunshinex]

Residents had reported him for suspicious behaviour, saying he was flaunting his wealth in the poor rural area.

or his wife was - more likely

================================================================

If you have nothing sensible to say, why waste all of our time ? ? ? ? ? ?

What a stupid thing to say ! !

Agree, just more angry mail farang talk. Why take a shot at the wife? This guy sounds like he had it made and he blew it by showing off. He did the crime got away with it, was married in rural thai living a nice comfortable life. Like the other poster said, keep a low profile and your set for life. Hope he enjoy he enjoys his German jail cell.

Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black.

Flaunting anything in Thailand is a bad idea, money, wealth, women, cars, etc. Most of the people on this forum should know that by now.

But making a statement like "keep a low profile and your set for life" saying that it's ok to be a criminal in Thailand - is just as stupid as making the somewhat realistic insinuation that his wife was flaunting the money.

[Jai Yen Yen]

Residents had reported him for suspicious behaviour, saying he was flaunting his wealth in the poor rural area.

or his wife was - more likely

================================================================

If you have nothing sensible to say, why waste all of our time ? ? ? ? ? ?

What a stupid thing to say ! !

Well, I thought it was funny anyway. Oh, and please don't shout.

[KhunFon]

Flaunting anything in Thailand is a bad idea, money, wealth, women, cars, etc. Most of the people on this forum should know that by now.

Indeed, many come with money, few leave Thailand with money.

I always say, if I win the EuroMillions I leave Thailand immediately, because who says I'll be save here longer.

Romuald, with a name to become pope, nicked 201 million baht in two hold ups. And instead of finding a nice safe island with no german embassy, he decides to get married in the 'land of the jaleous'. What a mistake to make!

[Chopper]

Going slightly off topic; but the German above sounds not too dissimilar from the likes of the Italian Valerio Viccei who masterminded the 1987 robbery of the Knightsbridge safety deposit boxes in London for considerably more than the subject in George's post. He got caught because he remained in the UK after the robbery awaiting an export license for his Ferrari. The book (I forget the name) though easy to Google, was an interesting read.

A senior Flying Squad detective once told me about armed robbers: To greedy or not low profile and you will be caught.

[h90]

Residents had reported him for suspicious behaviour, saying he was flaunting his wealth in the poor rural area.

or his wife was - more likely

================================================================

If you have nothing sensible to say, why waste all of our time ? ? ? ? ? ?

What a stupid thing to say ! !

Well, I thought it was funny anyway. Oh, and please don't shout.

not funny for jaapfries, I think it is something personal, either his wife is spending all his money or she ran away with a richer german guy.

Attention the German guy has a 100 % polish name. So not a real German...

Going slightly off topic; but the German above sounds not too dissimilar from the likes of the Italian Valerio Viccei who masterminded the 1987 robbery of the Knightsbridge safety deposit boxes in London for considerably more than the subject in George's post. He got caught because he remained in the UK after the robbery awaiting an export license for his Ferrari. The book (I forget the name) though easy to Google, was an interesting read.

A senior Flying Squad detective once told me about armed robbers: To greedy or not low profile and you will be caught.

[Wallalai]

Seems like an honest thief -- he had balls, took a risk, and stole the dough... too bad he wasn't smart enough to keep it. He should known better and kept an EXTREMELY low profile.

"honest thief" Are you meaning this kind of people are welcomed in LOS ? Stupid comment IMHO.

[KhunFon]

not funny for jaapfries, I think it is something personal, either his wife is spending all his money or she ran away with a richer german guy.

Why do you write either // or, h90? Don't you know?

Edited February 22, 2006 by KhunFon

[thaipro_pattaya]

JAIL not BAIL

[dezeure]

Residents had reported him for suspicious behaviour, saying he was flaunting his wealth in the poor rural area.

or his wife was - more likely

================================================================

If you have nothing sensible to say, why waste all of our time ? ? ? ? ? ?

What a stupid thing to say ! !

What's stupid about this??? its probably very true what was said here about his wife. If our Polish guy (see the name) is smart enough to rob money vans (which is not an easy thing to do...) then I'm sure he's smart enough to play his cover well... the question is, was his wife smart enough too?

Oh an by the way... don't you like the fact that at the immigration they had no clue upon him entering TH... Its the old fish market lady who noticed something suspicious... she should get promoted to immigration officer... hihi

[talktomarty]

Residents had reported him for suspicious behaviour, saying he was flaunting his wealth in the poor rural area.

or his wife was - more likely

================================================================

If you have nothing sensible to say, why waste all of our time ? ? ? ? ? ?

What a stupid thing to say ! !

I agree with you, a complete idiot would say that. What is it about these guys that group all Thai women as Pattaya bar girls.

They are as sad as the girls they hang out with.

[KhunFon]

What is it about these guys that group all Thai women as Pattaya bar girls.

They are as sad as the girls they hang out with.

Please do not discriminate Pattaya bars! There are other bars too!!

[thaipro_pattaya]

Residents had reported him for suspicious behaviour, saying he was flaunting his wealth in the poor rural area.

or his wife was - more likely

================================================================

If you have nothing sensible to say, why waste all of our time ? ? ? ? ? ?

What a stupid thing to say ! !

I agree with you, a complete idiot would say that. What is it about these guys that group all Thai women as Pattaya bar girls.

They are as sad as the girls they hang out with.

Good post

[new2thai]

has anyone else noticed romuald has also changed his age from 50 to 49 amazing ! i bet we all wish we could do that.

[Artisan]

not funny for jaapfries, I think it is something personal, either his wife is spending all his money or she ran away with a richer german guy.

My immediate thoughts too.

[BigSnake]

WOW!! Talk about the long arm of the LAW!! I have often wonder about some my fellow farangs crusing around in there 2MBath BMW and two Sporty RIDERS to booth.

[hansco]

Seems like an honest thief -- he had balls, took a risk, and stole the dough... too bad he wasn't smart enough to keep it. He should known better and kept an EXTREMELY low profile.

Honest thief? He was a crook and I am glad he will be locked up where he belongs!

Thailand could do without the scum of europe hiding out there. You obviously approve of his lifestyle?

[gharknes]

Interesting to see how much of his money stays in Thailand and with who ??

[TBWG]

Seems like an honest thief -- he had balls, took a risk, and stole the dough... too bad he wasn't smart enough to keep it. He should known better and kept an EXTREMELY low profile.

Honest thief? He was a crook and I am glad he will be locked up where he belongs!

Thailand could do without the scum of europe hiding out there. You obviously approve of his lifestyle?

Hi

Give him a bit of credit for choosing LOS

Most European low life seem to finish up in Spanish Costa del Crimes!

TBWG

[Cpt_M0ney_Sh0t]

Seems like an honest thief -- he had balls, took a risk, and stole the dough... too bad he wasn't smart enough to keep it. He should known better and kept an EXTREMELY low profile.

"honest thief" Are you meaning this kind of people are welcomed in LOS ? Stupid comment IMHO.

Hey don't hate the Playa hate the Game... Anyway he was kinda retarted, first of all you get yourself a 2nd legitimate passport. Then go to a country that has NO extradition treaty with the country your running from. Thailand has a extradition treaty with MANY nations so it's not the place to roll too. Try Vietnam or any Gulf Country, Dubai would be great if ya had $5 million. However if you must stay in Thailand the 2nd legit passport say from Yugoslavia or some other eastren Eruopean or mabey African nation in a different name would be a must. And with a lil travel, bribe money and patcience are easily attainable. Then he could have leagly emigrated to Thailand under a totaly different identity and flaunted his wealth all he wanted. But no....he had to be sloppy and now he's gotta suck it up.

[hansco]

Seems like an honest thief -- he had balls, took a risk, and stole the dough... too bad he wasn't smart enough to keep it. He should known better and kept an EXTREMELY low profile.

"honest thief" Are you meaning this kind of people are welcomed in LOS ? Stupid comment IMHO.

Hey don't hate the Playa hate the Game... Anyway he was kinda retarted, first of all you get yourself a 2nd legitimate passport. Then go to a country that has NO extradition treaty with the country your running from. Thailand has a extradition treaty with MANY nations so it's not the place to roll too. Try Vietnam or any Gulf Country, Dubai would be great if ya had $5 million. However if you must stay in Thailand the 2nd legit passport say from Yugoslavia or some other eastren Eruopean or mabey African nation in a different name would be a must. And with a lil travel, bribe money and patcience are easily attainable. Then he could have leagly emigrated to Thailand under a totaly different identity and flaunted his wealth all he wanted. But no....he had to be sloppy and now he's gotta suck it up.

Obviously another crook! Calling it a game is just beyond belief

It is not big or clever to do the crime and or get away with it! Get out and make your own money not take someone elses. Being a thief or criminal just meens you are too stupid and lazy to do anything usefull with your life.

[h90]

come on: 95 % of the women married from Germans are bar girls.

There are other girls, but they don't marry ugly old farangs.

Residents had reported him for suspicious behaviour, saying he was flaunting his wealth in the poor rural area.

or his wife was - more likely

================================================================

If you have nothing sensible to say, why waste all of our time ? ? ? ? ? ?

What a stupid thing to say ! !

I agree with you, a complete idiot would say that. What is it about these guys that group all Thai women as Pattaya bar girls.

They are as sad as the girls they hang out with.

Edited February 22, 2006 by h90

[SiriusBlack1]

When you're a wanted felon, keeping a low profile involves a lot more than just "laying low." You have to pay the right people to keep you hidden. The cops would find out sooner or later, and if there's money or a promotion to be had in grassing him...

I suspect he was already paying the local cops and everything was fine till he attracted the attention of someone higher up.

[Heng]

German criminal caught and deported thread converted to a bargirl thread, and barely into page 2. Pure entertainment.