Pol. Maj. Gen. Chaloemkiat Sriworakhan, the deputy Region 2 Police commander, chaired a press conference at Najomtien Police Station of Sunday to announce the arrest of 34-year old Russian national Nikolay Rybalov, who is alleged to have beaten up a female currency exchange clerk on Sukumvit Road on Saturday April 14. After knocking out the clerk, Rybalov reportedly continued to punch the helpless staff member in the face before fleeing the scene with 700,000 baht.
Police displayed CCTV footage of the incident at the press conference and gave details as to how they managed to track down the suspect and make an arrest.
Rybalov fled the scene of the crime on his Honda PCX and police later tracked the vehicle down to a home in Baan Dusit 2, where they also seized a Ford Fiesta. It was only 10 hours after the incident took place that officers managed to nab the suspect at Suvarnabhumi airport, along with his Russian girlfriend.
Rybalov denies the charges against him, even though police have hard evidence including the CCTV footage and a large quantity of cash found on his person. His court case is scheduled for April 17 at Pattaya Court.
Natcha Chaiyayangkul, the owner of the exchange booth was present at the police conference to thank officers for acting so quickly while Miss Sunee, the injured clerk, is still recovering at the Somdej Hospital in Sriracha.
