A wily traffic policeman stopped and searched Suriya Sukolthamarn, 44, at the junction of Montri and Luang Pho Chuan Roads on Thursday afternoon (May 28) after remembering the description given in a notice for all officers to keep a lookout for a snatch thief.
The notice called for officers to look out for a man in a red and black jacket and matching helmet riding a Honda Click with no license plates.
At the time of his arrest, Suriya was found in possession of a brown handbag as well as cash in a variety of foreign currencies, the spoils of his latest snatch committed nearby earlier that day.
Phuket City police soon arrived and took Suriya in for questioning. After being presented with CCTV images identifying him, he confessed to six snatch thefts, including five earlier this month:
- May 7, at 8pm, when he snatched a gold necklace from a woman on Yaowarat Road;
- May 14, after midnight, when he stole driving license, mobile phone and B30 cash from a woman in Soi Hub-eak;
- May 18, when he snatch a woman’s purse containing B10,000 on Phang Nga Rd;
- May 23, at 10pm, when he snatched a woman’s purse with B500 cash, a mobile phone and her silver necklace on Chana Chareon Road; and
- May 23, at 11pm, when he stole a purse with B2,800 and other documents.
Police charged Suriya with the specific crime of theft by using getaway vehicle.