A teenager needing cash to follow his dream of becoming a professional footballer was arrested for allegedly funding his pursuit by snatching a handbag from a Russian tourist.
The unidentified 15-year-old was captured after a motorbike and foot chase in Jomtien Beach March 1. A second suspect escaped, but has been identified and police expect an arrest soon.
This 15-year-old was arrested for snatching a handbag from a Russian tourist in order to gain the 500 baht needed to enroll in training to become a footballer.
The ordeal began in front of the Majestic Condo on Soi Wat Bunyakanjanaram when two teens snatched a purse belonging to Mokina Kristina, 26. She told responding officers the boys had sped off toward Jomtien Second Road.
Police blocked off area streets and cornered the suspects, who stopped and fled into the woods. Police could capture only the 15-year-old.
The other suspect escaped with the handbag, which contained 2,500 baht, a mobile phone, a camera, and credit card.
Under interrogation, the boy confessed, police said, to snatching the bag because he needed 500 baht to enroll in training to become a footballer.
