Chonburi Province, July 24, 2023 – A daring car theft attempt at the Pattaya beachfront department store in Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province, was thwarted by the vigilant Pattaya Police, led by Pol. Col. Thanaphong Phothi, the Superintendent of Pattaya Police Station. The incident unfolded on July 24th when local villagers reported the crime to the authorities, prompting an immediate response.
Upon receiving the alarming notification, Pol. Col. Thanaphong Phothi wasted no time and issued orders to intercept the culprits. The task of apprehending the thieves fell to Pol.Lt.Col. Surachet Aneksri, the competent deputy superintendent of Pattaya Police Station, who promptly coordinated his team with the help of a radio communication system to track down the fleeing criminals along their expected escape route.
Their efforts paid off as the thieves were successfully intercepted, along with the stolen items, on Pattaya Naklua Road, about 10 kilometers away from the scene of the car theft.
Before the incident unfolded, the victim, Mr. Somchai Khetkhan, a 47-year-old delivery worker, had parked his white Isuzu D-Max pickup truck with registration number Ngor Tor 9374 from Chonburi, outside the department store. He was in the process of delivering items to customers and had left the engine running, assuming it would be a quick task. However, his tranquility was short-lived as he spotted the culprit sneaking into the vehicle.
Without hesitation, Mr. Somchai sprang into action, dashing towards the back of his pickup truck to confront the thief. However, the criminal swiftly started the engine and attempted to flee the scene. In a desperate plea for help, Mr. Somchai shouted to those around him, and one of the onlookers promptly informed the police about the unfolding drama.
A high-speed chase ensued, with the criminals making daring attempts to break through police barricades, almost colliding with the authorities in their desperate bid to evade capture. But, ultimately, the law enforcement officers successfully managed to corner the culprits in front of the bustling Lan Pho market on Pattaya Naklua Road.
Pol. Col. Thanapong Phothi, commending the quick and efficient response of his team, stated that the interception along the anticipated escape route was facilitated by valuable information provided by a responsible citizen. Thanks to this timely intervention, the apprehension was carried out without any damage or loss.
The alleged perpetrator, identified as Mr. Sao, a 29-year-old mat renter from Pattaya Beach, was taken into custody. Following his arrest, Mr. Sao confessed to his involvement in the car theft and surrendered to the evidence gathered against him. He cited homesickness as the motive behind his criminal act, claiming that he only wanted a vehicle to return to his hometown in Chiang Rai.
The investigating officer, Pol. Capt. Phuttarak Sonkhamhan from Pattaya City Police Station, received Mr. Sao’s statement and confirmed that further legal proceedings would be initiated against the suspect. The diligent efforts of Pattaya Police have successfully put an end to the reign of a notorious car theft gang, bringing justice to the victim, Mr. Somchai Khetkhan, and peace of mind to the community.
