Ittipon Boonprakob, 35, and Rattapong Kanpat, 27, were arrested on Thursday (June 18), said Maj Gen Pachara Boonyasit, commander of the Phuket Provincial Police.
“Police are still searching for the third member of the gang: Pasupatara Sakultungpotong,” he added.
Gen Pachara said police learned of the gang’s antics from tip-offs from drug dealers, who said the men reportedly traded stolen goods for ya ice (crystal meth).
“The three men used to work together as a technicians. They robbed many houses in residential developments, targeting houses in dark areas with no CCTV cameras,” he said.
“As they were handymen, these guys took a very short time to break into a house.”
The men exchanged stolen items with former workmates Lerdech Naknaka, 28, and Waranyoo Supawiriyakorn, 29, Gen Pachara alleged.
“Sometimes they passed on the stolen goods for cash, other times for drugs,” he said.
“However, so far we have found only drug paraphernalia. We are still searching for the drugs, the suspect who fled guy, tracking down stolen items and other evidence.”
“Many robberies happened during the past two months,” said Gen Pachara. “If your house has been robbed lately, please come to Phuket Police station to check if your items are here.”
Among the stolen items presented yesterday were five laptop computers, 15 mobile phones, a printer, six cameras, two guitars, a television set and around 50 Buddha images and amulets, one brass bowl, two pairs of shoes, one fax machine and many other items of electronic equipment.
Ittipon and Rattapong have been charged with committing robbery, while Lerdech and Waranyoo have been charged with receiving stolen goods.