On April 29th, 2024, Deputy Superintendent Police Lieutenant Colonel Kornpong Sukwisit and his team from the Banglamung Police Station, under the command of Superintendent Pol. Col. Navin Sinthurat, successfully apprehended Mr. Phongthep, also known as Thep Raksachart, aged 37.
He was arrested based on an arrest warrant (No. 230/2567) issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court on the same date, for charges related to the night-time theft of property from a residence, involving damage to property protection measures and the use of a vehicle to facilitate the escape and transportation of stolen goods.
Mr. Phongthep is implicated in a series of thefts targeting Phra Phrom statues (Religious statues), with another suspect still at large. Between March 29th and April 3rd, the Banglamung Police Station received multiple reports from victims, including warehouses of well-known brands, security firms, design and construction companies, shops, and factories. A total of six complaints were filed regarding the mysterious disappearance of bronze religious statues from shrines in front of their offices.
The thefts were captured on CCTV, which clearly showed the perpetrators, both male and female, using sidecars and motorcycles during the commission of the crimes. Two suspects, Miss Waraporn Yamana and Mr. Thanwa Satchoi, both 34 years old, were previously arrested on April 6th.
Mr. Raksachart did not immediately release a statement or plea to the media.
