Rayong truck driver arrested in tire-replacement scam

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A teenage truck driver has been arrested for allegedly stealing tires from his Rayong employer.

Chonchit Lakornpol, 18, was hauled into the Phe Police Station Oct. 12 by his boss, Samrid Chinnarach, 58, owner of Chinnarach CRN Transport Co.

Samrid told police that Chonchit had admitted to twice replacing and reselling expensive tires on the 18-wheeled sand-delivery truck he has driven between Rayong and Saraburi for a year.

Samrid Chinnarach (center) reports to police that his employee Chonchit Lakornpol (right) had been steeling his tires.Samrid Chinnarach (center) reports to police that his employee Chonchit Lakornpol (right) had been steeling his tires.

Samrid said he began to monitor the teen driver after he had rung up 100,000 baht in expenses replacing tires on the heavy truck, sometimes within just five months.

Police said Chonchit confessed to the charges, saying that, after arriving in Saraburi, he’d replace existing tires with new ones, then sell the new ones and buy second-hand tires before returning to Rayong. He said he sold the 18,000-baht tires for 4,000 each and sent the money to his parents, who used the money to make car payments.

The suspect was arrested on theft and fraud charges, but has agreed to assist police in capturing the two Saraburi dealers that conspired with him in the scheme.