Chiang Mai, Thailand – Two Colombian men were arrested after posing as tourists and cycling through residential areas to scout empty homes for burglary, November 20. Their latest heist targeted the home of a Chinese tourist, netting over 1 million baht in stolen goods. Despite waving at security guards and surveillance cameras, the duo was eventually caught.
CCTV footage from a gated community in Hang Dong District captured the two suspects cycling around the neighborhood and waving at security guards and cameras to appear inconspicuous. While one acted as a lookout, another attempted to enter homes by shaking their doors. Upon finding no one home, they would steal valuables.
Their most recent burglary involved breaking into a Chinese tourist’s house, stealing yuan currency, five luxury watches, and branded handbags worth over 1 million baht. They fled the scene but were later apprehended at a parking area of another housing project. Police identified the suspects as Cesar Armando Gomez Rodriguez, 20, and Sebastian Olaya Manrique, 26, both Colombian nationals. The suspects denied the allegations and contacted relatives in Colombia to hire legal representation.
Authorities are still pursuing another accomplice, believed to be the gang leader, who drove a white sedan to the community. The car was later found abandoned in a Chiang Mai neighborhood.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Thawatchai Pongwiwatchai, Chiang Mai Provincial Police Commander, expressed confidence in the evidence against the suspects. Investigations revealed that the gang had committed similar crimes multiple times. CCTV footage showed them using stolen credit cards to make purchases worth tens of thousands of baht, stealing cannabis products worth 20,000 baht from a cannabis shop, and even taking bicycles to further their burglaries.
The gang is also suspected of purchasing second-hand cars for their operations and shipping stolen goods back to Colombia via parcels. Their activities spanned various areas, including Chiang Mai City, San Sai, and Saraphi. Police continue to gather evidence and pursue the remaining suspect. (TNA)
