German dive industry figure arrested in Phuket on Austrian warrant

[webfact]

German dive industry figure arrested in Phuket on Austrian warrant
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Detlef

PHUKET: -- German resident and dive industry figure Detlef Gerhard Hewer was arrested this afternoon on a request from the Austrian Embassy in Bangkok.

Details are sketchy. It is understood that the charge is one of fraud or embezzlement, but the victim is not mentioned in the police arrest documents.

Hewer was the founder of Eden Divers, at one time one of the most aggressive and fastest growing dive operations in the region. Initially it operated out of offices in Patong but later moved to Khao Lak, The company’s website still lists him as director.


Since 2010 Hewer has been on a list of foreigners wanted for various offences, but police said they had two addresses for him – one in Patong and one in Khao Lak – and they did not know at which one he lived.

Today, however, they staked out the address in Nanai Rd, Ptoing, and arrested him when he arrived home.

After questioning, Hewer was due to put on a plane to Bangkok tonight in preparation for despatch to Austria.

Additional reporting by Eakkapop Thongtub

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/german-dive-industry-figure-arrested-in-phuket-on-austrian-warrant-46361.php


-- Phuket News 2014-05-21

Edited May 21, 2014 by Support

[Mango Bob]

What a lame reason the police did nothing, just because he has two address. You check out both addresses Mr Policeman. Damn I shouldn't have to tell you your job. But nice picture for the family.

[terryp]

police said they had two addresses for him – one in Patong and one in Khao Lak – and they did not know at which one he lived.

yep thats ThAI police for ya................

[stevenl]

I thought he was also on a wnated list from Thai police, surprises me his alleged crimes here are not mentioned.

[eezergood]

I thought he was also on a wnated list from Thai police, surprises me his alleged crimes here are not mentioned.

please continue........

[ezzra]

" Since 2010 Hewer has been on a list of foreigners wanted for various offences, but police said they had two addresses for him – one in Patong and one in Khao Lak – and they did not know at which one he lived."

Don't you just love it when the BIB plays the dumb cops when the want too.... probably someone

forgot to "donate" more funds to the police's Shivas foundations...

[eezergood]

" Since 2010 Hewer has been on a list of foreigners wanted for various offences, but police said they had two addresses for him – one in Patong and one in Khao Lak – and they did not know at which one he lived."

Don't you just love it when the BIB plays the dumb cops when the want too.... probably someone

forgot to "donate" more funds to the police's Shivas foundations...

what do you mean, play dumb????

[SCARLETIBIS1]

" Since 2010 Hewer has been on a list of foreigners wanted for various offences, but police said they had two addresses for him – one in Patong and one in Khao Lak – and they did not know at which one he lived."

Don't you just love it when the BIB plays the dumb cops when the want too.... probably someone

forgot to "donate" more funds to the police's Shivas foundations...

Hope he can get his money back for those fake amulets. LOL If they were genuine he would have been protected of course. LOL Gotta love Thailand. I wonder what side all the ghosts are on here. Do you think they have both red and yellow ghosts???

[Thai Travel Bug]

Yes, quite funny......Imagine what trouble the BIB's would have had if the guy was actually trying to hide and evade them.

Would have definitely gone down as a cold case.....The postman obviously had a better idea where he was.....Amazing.....

[stevehaigh]

'Today, however, they staked out the address in Nanai Rd, Ptoing, and arrested him when he arrived home'

Ptoing? is that the new name for patong?

[mogo51]

Oh all you people are so cynical to think that the Police failed to act in the past - there has been a 'rocket up the a...e' from somewhere! but what a lame duck excuse, you would think they would think of something better, like he had dyed his hair!

[poooket]

So it took the cops 4 years to decide which address to search first?? Probably had to see a fortune teller first to figure this one out.

[Mango Bob]

If a criminal had 4 residents they would never find him.

[iforget]

Small correction: "He also had a small aerial photography business."
This is inaccurate. The aerial photography business in Khao Lak is owned by another German, also called Franky - Franky Gunn.
Sorry about that.

[klauskunkel]

They knew his 2 addresses, they knew his businesses, they knew he was a foreigner - 4 years? How about flag his file at Immigration Police and arrest him when he makes 90 day report? Nah, can't have out of the box thinking, let alone interdepartmental cooperation within Thai Police...

Thai Police - taking Thainess to extremes...

[stevenl]

" Since 2010 Hewer has been on a list of foreigners wanted for various offences, but police said they had two addresses for him – one in Patong and one in Khao Lak – and they did not know at which one he lived."

Don't you just love it when the BIB plays the dumb cops when the want too.... probably someone

forgot to "donate" more funds to the police's Shivas foundations...

He simply finally ran out of money, so could not pay Kathu police anymore.

[JoeLing]

Just a quick tip for anyone trying to hide in Thailand.

Put one address on your visa application,
put an other address on your arrival card,

wear a t-shirt with the address of the closest police station
and the BiB will be searching for you for the next 21 years.

Although beware, the Army might declare a state of emergency,
state a coup d'etat or even start a war in order to find you.

Edited May 21, 2014 by JoeLing

[maximillian]

My fellow countrymen... Hm, at least he is not wearing tank top and super short pants from the sixties, with socks and sandals.

Love his amulettes and bracelets on his wrist, especially the two that are connecting his left and right wrists.

Wonder what the Austrians are blaming him for ? Maybe he's innocent, maybe.

And the role and excuses of the BiB... unbelievable. Two addresses...

[belg]

2 know addresses, for police = well lets do nothing

good tip for criminals !

[stevenl]

My fellow countrymen... Hm, at least he is not wearing tank top and super short pants from the sixties, with socks and sandals.

Love his amulettes and bracelets on his wrist, especially the two that are connecting his left and right wrists.

Wonder what the Austrians are blaming him for ? Maybe he's innocent, maybe.

And the role and excuses of the BiB... unbelievable. Two addresses...

Embezzlement. His second investor filed a claim and won the courtcase in Austria. His first investor decided there was no point and took the loss.

[sawadee1947]

very strange....: a German citizen on AUSTRIAN warrant? Not even INTERPOL warrant? Maybe Suthep is there behind?

[Strangebrew]

He use to be fatter like whale but loss weight.

[Payboy]

German dive industry figure

What does he do, drop an amulet every fathom to hit the surface?

[ClutchClark]

Everybody hates the Police...until they need them.

And after all these years, everybody on TV still believes every word of a news article when it suits their agenda--like when it bashes the police.

I hope all of you realize that an outstanding warrant in another country does not result in immediate arrest and extradition automatically. The country or rather authority that issues the warrant has to determine if the offense is worth their effort and money. Frequently, the police simply allow for a "passive" approach that includes capture when the fugitive returns to the Issuing Country.

Even if the original warrant was issued in 2010, this fugitives participation or involvement in the crime may have been too small and then only recently through further investigation, new evidence or confession of fellow participants did the warrant become worth pursuing overseas.

Surely, with Thailand having such a high per-capita number of farang criminals, this knowledge has to be common place?

And one more thing, do any of you actually read the comments on the thread before submitting your own? The first one to point out the two addresses was original. The next 30 were ridiculously mundane.

Edited May 21, 2014 by ClutchClark

[Alwyn]

'Today, however, they staked out the address in Nanai Rd, Ptoing, and arrested him when he arrived home'

Ptoing? is that the new name for patong?

who thinks Patong should be renamed PTOING!!!!

[vogie]

What a lame reason the police did nothing, just because he has two address. You check out both addresses Mr Policeman. Damn I shouldn't have to tell you your job. But nice picture for the family.

No you shouldn't have to tell them their job, but you will do anyway

[stickylies]

mistrust farang with buddhist amulets...

[ClutchClark]

mistrust farang with buddhist amulets...

Aren't those often amulets honoring a past King? King Rama V being quite popular?

Thanks

[JoeLing]

........... The next 30 were ridiculously mundane.

Don't tell me you were expecting some heavenly or spiritual comments? ;-)

Don't tell us, you're on TV to find heavenly enlightenment? ;-)

Off course, the comments on TV might not always be to every ones liking

and of course they mostly pretty mundane - from this earth.

Although, occasionally some comments seam to be from aliens from outer space ;-) .

Edited May 21, 2014 by JoeLing

[sz1a]

You guys are lame. The reason they didn't take this guy previously was because he paid them. Now that Austria wanted him they had to take him in; do you think they are gonna say they failed to arrest him previously because he bribed them or because they didn't know where he lived?