SAMUT PRAKAN, Thailand – Police have arrested a man who robbed a gold shop in a popular mall in Bang Bo, Samut Prakan, taking 163 baht of gold, after hiding part of the loot in his home.
The suspect, dressed like a delivery rider with a full-face helmet and a side bag, entered the gold shop on August 14. He threatened staff with a firearm, jumped over the display counters, and grabbed various gold necklaces and bracelets. The haul included 5-baht bracelets (5 pieces, 25 baht), 3-baht bracelets (30 pieces, 90 baht), and 2-baht bracelets (24 pieces, 48 baht), totaling 79 pieces. He then fled on a motorcycle parked outside.
Authorities tracked down 31-year-old Veerawat at his home in Ban Rakat subdistrict, Bang Bo district. Police found some of the stolen gold hidden in a speaker cabinet and other pieces buried under a tree outside his house. About 90 baht of gold was recovered, and the suspect was taken in for questioning while police continue searching for the remaining stolen items.
During initial questioning, Veerawat confessed to the crime. He explained that he is not a delivery rider but runs a motorcycle repair shop. He wore the rider outfit to disguise himself during the robbery. He claimed financial difficulties and debts from informal loans as the reason behind the crime. Police are continuing investigations, as they are not fully convinced of his explanation regarding the missing gold. (TNA)
