Officers from Chalong Police Station confirmed the arrest following a complaint filed by the victim last Saturday (Mar 21), after he returned from overseas to find his villa had been ransacked.
Among the stolen items were three Rolex watches valued at about B2.7 million, cash in multiple currencies totalling around B100,000, and several high-value electronics including an iPad, iPhone, DJI drone, GoPro camera and a PlayStation console. The total losses were estimated at over B3 million.
Chalong Police Superintendent Pol Col Surasak Jaidee assigned an investigation team led by Deputy Superintendent Pol Lt Col Peerasit Noopayan and Chief of Investigation Pol Lt Col Chayakon Tangsakul to track down the suspect.
Investigators identified the suspect as a 27-year-old Myanmar national, whom they named only as ‘Mr Wai’, who had access to the property to clean the swimming pool. Police said he took advantage of unlocked doors to enter the villa and carry out the theft.
An arrest warrant was issued by the Phuket Provincial Court, and the suspect was apprehended on Thursday (Mar 26).
During questioning, Wai confessed to the crime and admitted taking all of the stolen property. Police said the items were later recovered from his room and returned to the victim.
He has been charged with theft, including using a vehicle to facilitate the crime and evade arrest, and has been handed over to investigators at Chalong Police Station for further legal proceedings.