Ubon ratchathani: A 61-year-old mother experienced heartbreak when her son secretly put up her sedan for sale, only for the vehicle to be stolen by a criminal posing as a buyer. After three days of investigation, the police successfully apprehended the thief and retrieved the stolen car.
According to Thai News Agency, the emotional ordeal came to a close when detectives from Muang Ubon Ratchathani Police Station returned the car to its rightful owner, Ms. Pen. Her son, Mr. Wisarut, had secretly advertised the car on Facebook. A thief, posing as a potential buyer, stole the car on November 23. Fearing legal repercussions, Mr. Wisarut falsely reported the car as stolen while he was at a market, but police investigations revealed discrepancies in his story.
The thief, later identified as 23-year-old Mr. Metha, contacted Mr. Wisarut using the Facebook alias "Ting Nong." Under the pretense of needing the car for transporting equipment, Mr. Wisarut borrowed it from his mother, intending to sell it. During a supposed test drive, Mr. Metha fled with the car, leaving behind a Suzuki motorcycle with a fake license plate. Realizing the scam, Mr. Wisarut fabricated a story about the car being stolen.
The Muang Ubon Ratchathani Police Station investigation team uncovered Mr. Metha's identity through a covert operation. Despite having only an image of the perpetrator and a fake license plate, they discovered Mr. Metha had a prior arrest warrant for theft. He was eventually tracked to Nakhon Pathom Province, where he and his girlfriend, Ms. Supisara, were apprehended in possession of the stolen vehicle.
The investigative process was challenging due to Mr. Metha's lack of local ties and use of an unregistered vehicle for his crimes. Nevertheless, police efforts led to his capture and the car's return within five days. Both Mr. Metha and Ms. Supisara face charges in Chonburi Province and will be prosecuted in Ubon Ratchathani.
Ms. Pen expressed relief at the car's recovery, though initially shocked by her son's actions. She was grateful for the police's swift work and forgave her son despite the distress caused. She emphasized the importance of family and her unconditional support for her son, expressing gratitude for the police's efforts in resolving the case quickly.