The tourist, Elena Andronova, reported to police on Oct 18 that her shoulder bag, containing valuables including a mobile phone, cash, and jewellery, was stolen while she took a walk on the beach.
Alerted by the Tourist Police, officers from Karon Police checked CCTV footage from the area and identified the suspect, who was seen wearing a black T-shirt and red shorts. The footage showed the perpetrator rummaging through Ms Andronova’s bag before fleeing on a grey Honda Wave 125i motorbike.
Further investigation revealed that the suspect, later identified as ‘Mr Surachai’ (surname withheld by police), had fled to Chalong.
Police tracked down the motorbike to a rental building where they discovered Surachai, who appeared shocked when confronted by officers.
During a search of his room, the clothes worn during the theft were found, along with cash, gold rings and bank cards. Surachai confessed to stealing the items from the tourist earlier that morning.
Photos of the suspect with the stolen items showed at least B21,000 in cash. The photos also showed the suspect at a gold shop, where it is presumed he sold at least some of the jewellery.
When asked about the victim’s phone, Surachai admitted to hiding it under the seat of another motorbike. The police recovered a cosmetic bag and a Samsung phone, but Surachai confessed to selling a second phone, an iPhone 13 Pro Max, to an individual known as ‘Mr Jack’ via Facebook.
Officers then arranged for Surachai to contact the courier, ‘Mr Thammasak’ (surname also withheld by police), who had collected the phone on behalf of Jack.
Meeting at Villa Market in Chalong, police confronted Thammasak, who revealed that he had already delivered the package to a Flash transport branch. Officers finally retrieved the iPhone from the branch, with the cooperation of the staff.
Both Surachai and Thammasak, were taken to Karon Police Station for further questioning. They confessed to their roles in the crime, said police.
The stolen property was returned to Ms Andronova, who expressed her gratitude for the swift recovery of her belongings.
The suspects now face charges related to theft and illegal sale of stolen goods, and legal proceedings are underway, police noted.