PATTAYA, Thailand – Police have found a black Toyota Fortuner believed to have been used by three suspects who allegedly robbed a Turkish businessman at his luxury home in Nongprue, stealing cash, three Rolex watches and cryptocurrency worth nearly 30 million baht. The robbery took place at about 3.30 a.m. on October 6, when the three suspects allegedly used a ladder to enter the house before forcing their way into the bedroom. They threatened the victim with a firearm and forced him to open a safe.
The suspects reportedly took about 150,000 baht in cash and three Rolex watches. They also forced the victim to transfer cryptocurrency from his digital wallet to another wallet, where it was later sold. The digital assets were valued at about US$820,000, or approximately 27 million baht, bringing the preliminary total loss to almost 30 million baht. The victim later escaped and reported the robbery to Nongprue Police Station.
On October 7, investigators from Police Region 2, Chonburi Provincial Police, Nongprue Police Station, Chonburi Immigration and Tourist Police met at Nongprue Police Station to coordinate the investigation and divide responsibilities for tracking down the suspects.
Police have since found a black Toyota Fortuner believed to be connected to the robbery. The vehicle was found abandoned in a wooded area within the jurisdiction of Nongprue Police Station.
CCTV footage from Soi Khao Noi also captured the same black Fortuner at about 3.38 p.m. on October 5, hours before the robbery. The vehicle was seen driving around the Phatthanakan Road and Soi Wat Boonsamphan area, providing investigators with another potential lead.
Police Region 2 Chief Pol. Lt. Gen. Wasan Techa-akarakasem and senior Chonburi police officers are overseeing the investigation. Officers are examining CCTV footage, forensic evidence and immigration records while tracing the stolen digital assets. Police have leads on three suspects. Preliminary information suggests they may be foreign nationals, possibly Chinese, but their identities and nationalities have not yet been confirmed.
