Wichit Police Chief Col Somsak Thongkliang confirmed yesterday (Aug 28) that investigators are expediting their request to the Phuket Provincial Court for an arrest warrant for the suspect, identified only as ‘Mr Pradit’, 30, from Takua Thung in Phang Nga.
Col Somsak explained that police had reviewed CCTV footage from a victim’s home and along the escape route, which showed the burglar fleeing on a motorcycle into Soi Khoktanode in Chalong.
Investigators later located the motorcycle at the home of Mr Pradit’s wife, who confirmed that her husband was the man seen in the footage.
Further checks revealed that Mr Pradit had already appeared at Phang Nga Provincial Court on Aug 21 on an unrelated theft charge, and had since been transferred to Phang Nga Provincial Prison.
Col Somsak said Mr Pradit is wanted in connection with at least two burglary cases in Wichit, where victims have already filed formal complaints. Once the Phuket Provincial Court issues the arrest warrant, police will detain him in Phang Nga to face prosecution in Phuket.
He also called on other victims who may have been targeted in burglaries in Wichit or Chalong to come forward.
“I would like to inform victims who have been robbed by cat burglars in shops, offices, and homes in and around Wichit and Chalong to file a report at Wichit Police Station or at the police station in their area,” Col Somsak said.
“This will help ensure the perpetrator is brought to justice.”