Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum, Commander of the Phuket Provincial Police, held a press conference at the Investigation Division of the Phuket Provincial Police today (Nov 11) to announce the arrests.
The four men were arrested at a hotel in Khok Kloi, Takua Pa District, Phang Nga, north of Phuket at about 1am today.
Joining the efforts to track down and arrest the men were officers from Phuket Provincial Police working with Region 8 Police, Tourist Police and Immigration Police, Pol Maj Gen Sinlert explained.
According to police statements, the suspects comprise four individuals: one Armenian, two Ukrainians, and one Russian.
The men were specifically identified as: Arman Grigoryan, 21, Armenian nationality; Alfred Chernyshuk, 18, Ukrainian; Ruslan Musaiev, 22, Ukrainian; and Maras Antroy, 21, Russian nationality.
After obtaining court-issued arrest warrants, authorities discovered that the suspects had fled to Phang Nga Province. They were subsequently apprehended and questioned, and all four suspects, aged between 18 and 23, are now in custody, Pol Maj Gen Sinlert said.
All four were taken into custody on arrest warrants issued by Phuket Provincial Court yesterday (Nov 10).
All four now face a charge of “robbery with weapons, jointly detaining others, or doing anything to deprive others of their physical freedom and let that other person do something for the perpetrator or another person.”
Initial investigations suggested that the suspects had prior business dealings with the victim, who was reportedly lured to a hotel room under the guise of a meeting.
Once inside, he was restrained and forced to transfer US$250,000 in crypto coins to the perpetrators. Investigators disclosed that the suspects had coordinated roles in the crime, from setting up the meeting to acquiring restraint equipment, Pol Maj Gen Sinlert.
Authorities revealed that some of the stolen funds had been transferred internationally, though a portion remains under investigation.
The suspects entered Thailand on tourist visas, with the Armenian suspect holding a 15-day visa and the others 90-day visas, Maj Gen Sinlert confirmed.
Pol Maj Gen Sukhum assured the public that Phuket police are committed to maintaining the safety of residents and tourists alike.
Police were able to swiftly apprehend the suspects within 48 hours of the crime, thanks to coordinated efforts and a robust investigative strategy, he said.
“We want tourists and residents to feel confident in their safety. Thailand will not tolerate criminal activity on its soil,” Maj Gen Sinlert said.