The investigation began when earlier this month on October 12, Kathu Police Sergeant and Director of the Suppression Unit, RoongRoj Petcharak, reported items that had gone missing from his accommodation at the police lodge.
Items included one police uniform, a .38mm handgun, a set of handcuffs, a walkie talkie, a flashlight and a motorbike.
On Sunday (October 27) around 3am, Private Narubete “Keng” Boonyayuen, 22, visited the police accommodation and was behaving suspiciously. Police asked to do a body search, but he ran away. Officers gave chase and Private Narubete was caught.
After questioning, Private Narubete admitted he stole the six items from the police lodge. Police searched his house and found the items reported missing by Sg RoongRoj, plus other uniforms, a hat belonging to a security officer, B13,000 in cash, and .48gm of ya ice.
Private Narubete admitted he sold the gun to fellow Private Krit “Coke” Vichaidit 23, for B13,000 in cash. Another man, Jiradech “Bank” Sornarint, 23, also admitted being involved – he paid the money to Private Narubete and kept the gun himself.
Police arrested both Private Krit and Mr Jiradech on Sunday in Phuket Town.
Private Narubete was charged with stealing property from a residential unit and using a vehicle to escape; carrying a gun in a public area without a permit; and being in possession of ya ice.
Private Krit and Mr Jiradech were charged with possession of stolen items and carrying a gun in a public area without a permit.