Sign stealer caught on Pattaya highway

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Police inspect the motorbike with side car which Chatree and his friends used to transport the stolen highway signs.

One man was arrested and two others escaped when police interrupted a gang stealing highway signs outside Pattaya.

Chatree Srichum, 27, was captured Feb. 8 on the Pattaya-Ban Chang-Rayong motorway Tuesday night.



Highway police said people living near the area reported that a number of thieves were uninstalling road signs, likely selling the metal for scrap. A patrol spotted three men loading signs onto a motorbike sidecar.

Two managed to escape, leaving behind the signs, the motorbike and Chatree, who was found hiding in the brush.


Chatree said the two lured him into stealing, saying they had a job for him to do, but not knowing what it was.

He said he needed cash to buy booze.

Chatree was charged with theft of public property.

The stolen signs are piled up on the lawn in from of the Mabprachan Highway Police station.