Phuket traffic cop perks up to catch coffee fiend
Phuket Gazette


The coffee thief was apprehended by off-duty officer Lt Jarin (right) and a local resident (2nd left). Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- A passerby in Phuket Town helped an off-duty police officer chase down a man who allegedly stole a bag of instant coffee from a 7-Eleven convenience store early yesterday morning.

Kampanart Rattanamuay, 34, was found by police with five bags of coffee, a DVD and a pair of gloves.

“By the time we arrived, Mr Kampanart had already been captured and was sitting on the floor in the middle of the store,” Sub Lt Seree Halem of the Phuket City Police said.

It was Sub Lt Jarin Songmuang of the Thalang Traffic Police who heard the cries for help from a store clerk and leapt into action.

“I was walking to the store when I heard a woman shouting that a thief was about to take off on a motorbike – I tackled him, but he fought back, trying to run away,” Lt Jarin told the Phuket Gazette.

Unfortunately for the perpetrator, a passerby joined Lt Jarin in apprehending the man.

The 7-Eleven store manger, Thanyarat Yasom, 45, spotted Mr Kampanart acting suspiciously after he had entered the shop earlier and, believing he had stolen items from the store, confronted him outside.

“The man left the store, but he was acting strange, like he was hiding something in his shirt. I ran out to him and asked if he had stolen something,” Ms Thanyarat said.

“I kept asking him to tell me, threatening to shout. Instead of saying anything, he threw the bag of coffee and ran,” she said.

Police suspect that the other products found with Mr Kampanart were stolen from other shops.

“The suspect was taken to Phuket City Police Station for questioning,” Lt Seree said.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Phuket-traffic-cop-perks-up-to-catch-coffee-fiend-22748.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2013-11-09

Obviously not guilty!

No one's pointing at him.

Obviously not guilty!

No one's pointing at him.

Looking at the photo it is extremely hard to know just which one is the offender without the pointing.

I'm guessing it is the guy on the left with the helmet.

Obviously not guilty!

No one's pointing at him.

Looking at the photo it is extremely hard to know just which one is the offender without the pointing.

I'm guessing it is the guy on the left with the helmet.

That's why they always point!

with five bags of coffee, a DVD and a pair of gloves

All set for an enema. Even had the instruction video on DVD.

A pair of gloves, eh? Obviously going for a more sophisticated crime next time.

But really, since when has petty theft of this nature been deemed important enough to make the press?

Well, the thief looks at 50 years in the slammer - without parole, because it was a petty crime. Bigger crimes go unruled or in favour of crooks here because of "too much busy"!

Pathetic! Fine the guy appropriately with a tap on his fingers but deal with the real thieves which are EVERYwhere ……

Hopefully still some coffee left for me .....

Sub Lt Jarin Songmuang...

I hope he gets promoted.

Obviously not guilty!

No one's pointing at him.

Hopefully still some coffee left for me .....

He stole instant. That isn't cofffee.

if only he had some tea money to go with his coffee, he would be free on the spot

This is news worthy? Thumbs down to the Thai Visa editors.

His child must be older if he drinks coffee.