This 15-year-old was arrested for snatching a
handbag from a Russian tourist in order to gain the 500 baht needed to
enroll in training to become a footballer.
Boonlua Chatree
A teenager needing cash to follow his dream of becoming a
professional footballer was arrested for allegedly funding his pursuit by
snatching a handbag from a Russian tourist.
The unidentified 15-year-old was captured after a motorbike and foot chase
in Jomtien Beach March 1. A second suspect escaped, but has been identified
and police expect an arrest soon.
The ordeal began in front of the Majestic Condo on Soi Wat Bunyakanjanaram
when two teens snatched a purse belonging to Mokina Kristina, 26. She told
responding officers the boys had sped off toward Jomtien Second Road.
Police blocked off area streets and cornered the suspects, who stopped and
fled into the woods. Police could capture only the 15-year-old.
The other suspect escaped with the handbag, which contained 2,500 baht, a
mobile phone, a camera, and credit card.
Under interrogation, the boy confessed, police said, to snatching the bag
because he needed 500 baht to enroll in training to become a footballer.
