BANGKOK, Thailand – A woman with a history of mental illness has been arrested after stealing a brand-new Honda HRV from a shopping mall in Bangkok’s Ratchadaphisek area, Oct 3.
Surveillance footage shows the chaotic scene as security guards attempted to stop the woman from fleeing the mall. The thief, driving the black SUV, rammed through barriers and other obstacles before escaping the scene.
The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon when the car owner, who was worried about her pet cat inside the vehicle, left the engine running while briefly stepping into a store.
After an eight-hour search, authorities located the stolen car in a parking lot of an apartment complex in Soi Nakniwat 16 in Lat Phrao district. Negotiations led to the woman’s surrender, and the pet cat was found unharmed under the car seat.
Huai Khwang Police Station superintendent Pol Col Prasopchok Eiampinit revealed that the suspect, a 39-year-old woman, was unable to provide a coherent statement during questioning. Her relatives informed police that she had been diagnosed with a mental illness and had discontinued treatment over a year ago.
While authorities await medical evaluation to determine the extent of the suspect’s mental condition, they are considering two charges: theft and damaging property. In addition, a security guard and a police officer were injured during the incident. (TNA)
