Pattaya —
Pattaya police arrested a motorbike taxi driver who pretended to offer assistance to a Chinese tourist involved in an accident, before snatching her bag.
The arrest was made on April 21st at the suspect’s rental room in Pattaya after police tracked a Thai man, identified only as Mr. Natthakarn, 23, who was believed to have stolen a bag from a Chinese woman.
The incident occurred when the Chinese woman was engaged in negotiations with another driver following a minor motorbike accident. Witnessing the situation, Mr. Natthakarn, a motorbike taxi driver, drove up to the victim and pretended to offer her assistance in resolving the matter. However, once the tourist was distracted, he swiftly snatched her bag and sped away on his motorbike.
The Chinese tourist immediately reported the crime to the Pattaya Police Station. Police officers then reviewed CCTV footage from various locations along the suspect’s escape route before they positively uncovered Mr. Natthakarn’s whereabouts at a rental room near Pattaya Center Night Plaza.
Upon apprehending the suspect, police recovered several items, including the motorbike used in the crime, the stolen cream-colored shoulder bag, the victim’s mobile phone, 10,000 baht in cash, and the clothing worn by the suspect during the robbery.
Mr. Natthakarn was taken into custody and handed over to the investigating officers for further legal proceedings.
