Lt Col Ratkert Mangmueang. an inspector from Phuket City Police, held a press conference at 11am today (July 14) to announce the arrest of Channarong “Mea” Pertmanee, 19, who was wanted in connection with a number of armed robberies.
“Arrests warrants were issued for Channarong on April 1 and June 21 following reports being filed at local police stations that he had carried out a number of armed robberies on various victims between April and July.
“All victims told us that the suspect was not a teenager and that he carried out the robberies using a gun then used a motorbike to get away,” Lt Col Rattkert said.
“We were able to arrest Channarong after officers had checked all CCTV footage from the crime scenes are were sure he was the wanted man.
“He was arrested yesterday (July13) behind the Siam Commercial Bank at the Wor Kor Intersection in Rassada, he had in his possession with two homemade pistols,” he added.
Lt Col Rattkert went on to say that Channarong admitted that he had carried out at least 20 armed robberies in Phuket Town and Thalang.
“He told us that the most recent robberies took place near the Heroines Monument in Srisoonthorn. In the first robbery he threatened to shoot the victim before snatching a gold necklace worth about B42,000. That same night he also threatened another victim in Soi Han Farang in Koh Kaew before getting away with another gold necklace worth about B21,000,” he said.
Channarong was taken to Phuket City Police Station where he was charged with illegal possession of firearm and ammunition, taking a firearm into public place without a permit, and robbery after dark using a getaway vehicle.