Officers arrested Sajee Sutthiprapha, the 39-year-old woman responsible for the string of thefts in the Patong area, which first came to public knowledge in the theft of a gold amulet and B600 cash from a smoothie shop on Sawasdirak Rd on June 27.
Since then more CCTV footage and images have been shared online showing her involved in several other thefts.
Patong Police now believe Sajee is involved in at least 12 other thefts.
Officers received a call at about 6am yesterday (July 6) informing them of yet another theft. This one in progress at the Lebanese Flower Restaurant on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd.
On arriving at the scene, officers discovered Sajee in the act of stealing money from the restaurant’s cash register.
She was promptly arrested and the stolen items were seized as evidence.
After her arrest, Sajee was detained, She confessed to multiple thefts in the Patong area, police said.
Sajee admitted to targeting establishments with minimal security, including restaurants and bars, where she could easily access tip boxes filled with cash and coins, police reported.
She revealed that the stolen money was used to buy drugs and gamble on online slot machines, police said.
She has been handed over to investigators for further legal proceedings.