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Aussie, Ukrainian arrested on extortion, intimidation charges
Marlen Pilman and Iarovyi
Dmytro have been charged with various illegal weapons, extortion and
robbery charges.
Boonlua Chatree
Two suspected members of a foreign organized-crime gang have
been arrested for allegedly extorting and intimidating a
Russian-restaurant owner.
Australian Marlen Pilman, 37, and Ukrainian Iarovyi Dmytro, 36, were
captured in a sting operation at the Heat-7 restaurant in South Pattaya
by Pattaya Tourist Police and Chonburi Immigration Police officers Nov.
14.
The arrests came after Waree Ditta, 30, owner of the Soi Kasetsin
eatery, complained to the Tourist Police she was being shaken down for
20,000 baht from two tour guides that had signed up with her Russian
husband to bring customers to Heat-7 for commission.
Waree told police the men originally agreed to take 30 percent of their
customers’ food bill as commission, but then became increasingly
arrogant, refusing to pay their own meal bills, then coming back
demanding the 20,000 baht as protection. If she didn’t pay, Waree told
police, the pair threatened to have gangsters destroy her restaurant.
Police had Waree arrange a meeting to give Pilman and Dmytro a 4,000
baht deposit. Police arrested the pair after they accepted the cash.
Police alleged the two had been suspected in similar intimidation
complaints. A search of their apartments uncovered a BB gun, handcuffs
and a taser, all illegal. They were charged with various illegal
weapons, extortion and robbery charges.
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