Krathum baen: A lone robber brandishing a gun robbed a gold shop in a popular shopping mall in the Krathum Baen area, but was unable to escape. He was quickly apprehended by a skilled police sergeant.
According to Thai News Agency, CCTV footage from inside the mall captured the suspect, dressed in full clothing, sunglasses, a mask, and carrying a backpack or bag, robbing a gold shop. He threatened the shopkeeper with a gun before quickly climbing into the store and sweeping up the gold. Immediately after acquiring the gold, the suspect attempted to flee, raising his gun in the air and making a move to clear his escape route. However, the magazine containing the bullets fell to the ground, unaware that the suspect was not being held up until he was approached by Police Senior Sergeant Major Sukit Kla Songkhram, the investigation unit leader at Krathum Baen Police Station (a plainclothes investigative officer), who was waiting in ambush and quickly apprehended him.
This gold shop robbery occurred in Krathum Baen District, Samut Sakhon Province, at approximately 3:30 PM today (November 9, 2015). The perpetrator was later identified as Mr. Somphong, 28 years old. The gold necklaces he took weighed approximately 55 baht, which is worth approximately 3,377,000 baht today. Regarding the firearm used in the crime, it is known that the perpetrator stole it from someone else in order to commit the crime.
A good Samaritan who was present at the scene and helped apprehend the perpetrator told reporters that he was nearby and saw the perpetrator jump up and threaten employees with a gun. He then quickly grabbed a gold necklace and, in less than a minute, jumped down and ran toward the mall's exit. However, he was met by a police officer who ran in front of him and quickly apprehended the perpetrator. He, along with other witnesses and patrol officers who had rushed in, helped apprehend the perpetrator. While he was being apprehended, the perpetrator apologized for having to do this, saying he needed money, but did not provide a reason.
In this regard, forensic officers from the Crime Scene Investigation Division have been contacted to inspect the scene and collect fingerprints and other evidence to be used in the case file and proceed with legal action.