Bangkok-
Thai immigration officers apprehended a wanted Colombian suspect in the bustling city of Bangkok. The arrest came after an extensive joint operation with Malaysian authorities, who had been investigating a high-profile theft case.
On May 31st, 2024, a group of thieves targeted the residence of a prominent Kuala Lumpur businessman, making off with valuables worth over 70 million baht. The audacious burglary sent shockwaves through the Malaysian capital, prompting swift action from law enforcement agencies.
Malaysian police identified eight suspects involved in the daring heist. Seven of them were successfully apprehended, but the mastermind behind the operation managed to evade capture. The elusive figure, known only as Mr. Lopez, a 30-year-old Guatemalan national, fled across the border illegally into Thailand.
Thai authorities received intelligence that Mr. Lopez had arrived in Songkhla and was en route to Bangkok. Acting swiftly, officers tracked him down to a luxury hotel in the Sukhumvit area of Khlong Toei. There, they arrested him without incident.
During interrogation, Mr. Lopez revealed his true identity: Mr. Miguel, a 39-year-old Colombian national. Unsurprisingly, there was no record of his legal entry into Thailand. He remained tight-lipped about his accomplices and the details of his criminal activities.
Further investigation revealed that Mr. Miguel had a history of criminal involvement. In 2010, he and his associates were part of a notorious gang of serial thieves. His name had been flagged in the Thailand Immigration Bureau’s watch list.
Mr. Miguel now faces charges related to illegal entry into the kingdom. Authorities are preparing for his extradition to Malaysia, where he will be tried for his role in the multimillion-baht heist.
