Pattaya police have arrested three men suspected of impersonating officers in order to steal an SUV in Nakhon Sawan.
Investigators announced the arrest of Thonasak Kaewsri, 33; Ekarin Bunrod, 29; and Wasan Phanthacharoen, 23, May 24. An additional two suspects remain at large.
The arrest came after Pattaya police were alerted to someone trying to sell a stolen car. Using an undercover informant, police arranged to buy the Isuzu Cape Highlander for 200,000 baht and slapped on the cuffs once the money was exchanged.
Police have arrested 3 of 5 men charged with auto theft, armed robbery and impersonating police.
Police said the vehicle had been reported stolen May 19 in Nakhon Sawan by Piya Tinchart, 23.
Under interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to police they met two other men, identified only as “Lek” and “Neung” and, afterward, came upon Piya as he and 10 friends were listening to music blaring from the Isuzu’s customized audio system by the Chao Phraya River.
Police said Wasan confessed that they had pretended they were police officers, then pulled a gun on the driver to steal the vehicle. They then took it to Pattaya where the audio equipment was stripped and sold.
Piya came to Pattaya to recover his vehicle and presented the investigating officers with a gift basket. The suspects were charged with armed robbery and impersonating police.
