Surat thani: Police apprehended a fugitive of over 19 years in a cross-province manhunt, just 11 days before the statute of limitations expired. Police from the Trang Provincial Police Investigation Division, in collaboration with the Surat Thani Provincial Police Investigation Division, surrounded and arrested Mr. Manoon, 63, who was wanted on an arrest warrant issued by the Trang Provincial Court on March 12, 2006, for the offenses of "attempted murder of a police officer while performing his duty and carrying a weapon in a town, village, or public place without reasonable cause." The arrest took place yesterday (February 28, 2006) at approximately 10:00 PM.
According to Thai News Agency, it took police over three hours before relatives agreed to allow them to search the house, but they did not find Mr. Manoon. Police had learned that Mr. Manoon was staying with relatives at a house on Soi Chon Kasem 22, Talat Subdistrict, Mueang Surat Thani District. However, when the relatives realized the police were there, they locked the house, preventing entry. Police then surrounded the house, blocking all entrances and exits, and conducted a thorough search. They eventually found Mr. Manoon hiding on the rooftop of a neighboring building. When police went up to apprehend him, he fled but was eventually caught. He was then taken to the investigation room at Mueang Surat Thani Police Station to be formally arrested before being transferred to Ratsada Police Station in Trang Province for legal proceedings.
This case dates back 19 years. Mr. Manoon, along with his son, stabbed a police officer, causing serious injury, in the area of Ratsada Police Station, Trang Province. The incident occurred while Mr. Manoon and his son were driving together. They argued when the police stopped them for a check, leading Mr. Manoon to pull out a knife and stab the officer. They then fled. The son was arrested and has since been released from prison. Mr. Manoon, however, evaded arrest for 19 years. Just 11 days before the statute of limitations expired, police, having been searching for him continuously, discovered he was residing with relatives at this house and finally apprehended him.