SONGKHLA, Thailand – Thai authorities have apprehended a 15-year-old suspect following a bold daylight robbery at a gold shop in southern Thailand, recovering a significant portion of the stolen loot from an apartment in Hat Yai.
The robbery occurred on Feb 3 at the Burapha Gold Shop, located within a Lotus’s department store opposite Prince of Songkla University. The lone suspect, armed with a hammer, smashed the display cases and fled with gold jewelry weighing approximately 33 baht (roughly 500 grams), valued at over 2.4 million baht (about $75,000).
Initial reports suggested a larger loss, but investigators confirmed the suspect dropped 27 baht weight of gold at the scene while fleeing.
On Wednesday, a combined force of Crime Suppression Division (CSD) officers and Provincial Police Region 9 investigators tracked the teenager to a bus terminal in Ubon Ratchathani province, near the border with Laos. Police believe the suspect had flown from the south to the northeast shortly after the crime in an attempt to evade capture.
The investigation led police to an apartment in Hat Yai municipality, where the suspect had allegedly stashed the gold with a close friend, also aged 15. During a search of the premises on Wednesday night, officers discovered 30 gold necklaces hidden inside a detergent bag, which was further concealed within a handbag inside a wardrobe.
Police General Thatchai Pitaneelabut, Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, stated that while 30 items were recovered, forensic teams must still verify if the weight matches the total reported stolen.
“We are investigating whether the friend who harbored the gold was involved in the planning of the heist,” General Thatchai said.
A formal press conference regarding the case is scheduled for later Thursday. (TNA)
