Boonlua Chatree
A Sriracha coffee shop worker was arrested for
attempting to snatch an Australian woman’s handbag.
Sakol Chanttaporn, 28, was taken into custody after
being detained by the woman’s boyfriend and a passerby May 28. The
attempted theft occurred in front of the All Seasons Hotel in the little
soi between Central Road and 2nd Road, near the old police quarters.
Victim Jessica McLennan, 22, said she and boyfriend
Nathan Eddy, 30, were driving on a motorbike about 4:30 a.m. when Sakol,
driving a red Honda Dream, allegedly grabbed her bag.
Even though the bag contained no cash or valuables,
McLennan resisted, causing the couple to crash. Sakol’s bike also
flipped and Eddy gave chase, catching him with help from a witness.
Police claim Sakol confessed to the bag snatch,
saying it was just a crime of opportunity during a visit to Pattaya.
Police believe, however, it was only one in a string of robberies and
plan to investigate further.
