PHUKET – A daring robbery recently shocked shoppers and store owners at a famous mall in Phuket. A bold thief, dressed up to look like a foreign tourist, broke into a currency exchange booth. In just three minutes, the man unlocked a secure safe and vanished with over 600,000 baht.
Key Takeaways
- Quick Crime: A disguised thief stole over 600,000 baht from a Phuket currency exchange booth in only three minutes.
- Inside Job Suspected: Police believe the thief already knew the safe’s secret passcode, pointing to a possible inside leak.
- Fake Identity: The clever suspect wore a fake beard and dark glasses to trick security cameras into thinking he was a foreigner.
The shocking crime took place late on the night of July 19, just as the mall was closing. Security cameras caught the bold suspect walking straight to the empty currency exchange booth. He did not look around or show any signs of fear before starting the crime.
The unknown man wore a dark blue cap, a black jacket with white stripes, and dark sunglasses. To hide his real identity, he wore rubber gloves and glued on a fake mustache and thick beard. This clever disguise was clearly designed to make him look exactly like a foreign visitor.
The security video shows the quick thief moving with a very clear and focused purpose. He walked right up to the heavy safe and typed in the secret digital passcode. He opened the solid metal door in just a few seconds, proving he knew the exact combination.
Next, he quickly grabbed thick stacks of cash from the narrow shelves inside the metal safe. The stolen money included Thai baht, Euros, Russian rubles, US dollars, and Swiss francs. The total value of the stolen cash was exactly 627,083 baht, and he walked away completely unnoticed.
Phuket Police Hunt for Clues
The 67-year-old owner of the exchange booth reported the massive theft the very next morning. Police Colonel Somsak Thongkliang is now leading the active local investigation into the strange robbery. He shared important details about the unfolding case with the Thai news outlet, Thairath.
Officers are currently checking all security cameras located inside and outside the large shopping center. They want to trace the exact escape route that the sneaky thief used that night. Furthermore, police strongly believe the man is actually a local Thai person who used the disguise to confuse investigators.
The most important clue right now is how easily the highly secure safe was opened. Only a very small group of trusted people actually knew the correct digital passcode. Because of this fact, police are now questioning the business partners and local staff members.
Investigators are trying to find out if someone shared the secret code on purpose. An inside job is highly likely in a fast, targeted case like this one. The police hope to catch the smart thief very soon and hopefully recover the stolen cash. For now, local businesses in Phuket are being warned to keep their money extra safe.
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