The suspects, named by police only as ‘Mr Sam B’, 25, and ‘Ms Susan A’, 36, were arrested at their residence after the court issued an arrest warrant, Chalong Police announced late yesterday (Feb 21).
Under the direction of Chalong Police Chief Pol Col Ekkarat Plaiduang, officers from Chalong Police, Phuket Immigration and Phuket Tourist Police carried out the operation, leading to the arrest of the suspects.
According to the report by Chalong Police, at about 9:30pm on Wednesday (Feb 19), two foreign victims were robbed of their handbags by two individuals on a white and red Honda PCX motorcycle near a 7-Eleven at the entrance of Soi Samakkee 4 in the Saiyuan area.
Later that night, around 10:29pm, another victim was targeted in front of a Thai massage shop on the Rawai beach road, where their mobile phone was snatched by the same perpetrators.
Police reviewed CCTV footage from both crime scenes and identified the suspects using the same motorcycle.
Further investigation revealed that the vehicle had been rented by ‘Mr Sam B’.
Officers gathered sufficient evidence to request an arrest warrant from the Phuket Provincial Court, and at about 9:30am yesterday (Feb 21), officers arrested the couple at their residence, the location of which was not reported.
Seized as key items of evidence was the Phuket-registered white-and-red Honda PCX motorbike used in the crimes, and the clothing worn by the suspects on the day of the incidents.
Both suspects have been charged with ‘jointly snatching property using a vehicle to facilitate the crime, escape, or evade arrest’, Chalong Police confirmed.
Chalong Police urged tourists to remain cautious and safeguard their belongings while in public areas. Anyone witnessing suspicious behaviour is encouraged to report it to Chalong Police Station at 076-381247.