Police have said the suspect has carried out 10 such thefts and spent the stolen money on methamphetamine pills (ya bah).
Baan Phrusompan assistant village headman, Sompong Kongnum, 49, received a call at 7pm yesterday stating that a group of local residents had apprehended a snatch and grab thief on Namuang Rd in Moo 3 Baan Phrusompan.
Mr Sompong arrived at the scene with Lt Col Weerayuth Sithirattanakul and Col Kraitsana Jannit Thalang police, where they were presented with 40-year-old Sakkarin Phothiwat from Kalasin who is an academics teacher at Baan Laem Sai School in Thepkassattri.
Police seized from Sakkarin his Yamaha Scoopy motorbike, which had its licence plate hidden under the seat; the victim’s purse; three wrenches; three screw drivers; a Samsung phone and two power bank chargers.
Sakkarin’s victims, two 18-year-old female college students, Sirinrat Jittra and Mookda Sakuntab, told police that while they were riding their motorbike Sakkarin approached them on his motorbike and snatched the purse out of the front basket.
However, Sakkarin, who appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, lost control of his motorbike and crashed into a ditch. Nearby residents came to the assistance of the two girls and managed to apprehended Sakkarin.
Sakkarin told police that prior to the theft he had taken two methamphetamine pills. He also admitted that he had committed more than 10 snatch and grab thefts and used the money to buy drugs.
Sakkarin was taken to Thalang Hospital for a drug test before being taken to Thalang Police Station to face drug and theft charges.