Sattahip police arrest ‘Blue Dragon’ vehicle-theft gang

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Four ex-convicts who formed the “Blue Dragon” gang after being released are back behind bars, accused of burglarizing more than 100 homes, stealing cars and motorbikes and killing four dogs.

Thassanai Nuanim, 28; Somchai Kongkaew, 38; Chaivirat Somsa, 26; and Ruangrith Ruankhumma, 32, were captured by Sattahip police following the July 5 break-in at a house in Bang Saray’s Moo 9. The burglars allegedly killed the dogs by feeding them friend chicken laced with weed killer, but left the scene empty-handed.

Police tracked down and arrested 4 members of the ‘Blue Dragon’ vehicle-theft gang.Police tracked down and arrested 4 members of the ‘Blue Dragon’ vehicle-theft gang.

Neighbors caught the license plate of a Mitsubishi Strada pickup truck fleeing the scene and police chased the quartet to a rented room in Taothan.

Police accused the gang members – all of whom had a picture of a dragon tattooed on their chest – of committing car and motorbike thefts in Sattahip, Bowin, Nongprue, Chonburi, and Maptaput, and Pluakdaeng. The vehicles were sold for just a fraction of their worth, as low as 20,000 baht per car and 5,000 baht per motorbike, police said.

During the arrest, police seized three Strada pickups and eight stolen motorbikes. Investigators also found a forgotten knife, can of Paraquat weed killer and fingerprints at the scene of the latest crime.

Officials alleged the Blue Dragon gang was one of the most-prolific in the area and that all four members had met in prison whilst serving time for robbery, burglary and drugs.