Chiang Rai Police Arrest ATM Thieves Planning Major Gold Shop Heists

CHIANG RAI – On June 21, local police stopped a major crime wave in Chiang Rai. Officers arrested two men for breaking into a local cash machine. The suspects thought they had safely escaped with the stolen money box. However, police quickly tracked them down and uncovered an even bigger criminal plot.

Key Takeaways

Police caught two men who broke into an ATM in Chiang Rai.
Officers found illegal drugs and heavy burglary tools in the getaway car.
Phone records revealed the men were planning to rob several gold shops.
The fast arrest successfully stopped a major future crime spree in the city.

The initial crime started at a Siam Commercial Bank cash machine. This specific machine sits right in front of the Big C mall in the Rob Wiang area. Local shoppers reported the heavily damaged machine to the authorities early in the morning.

Soon after, an investigation team rushed to secure the active crime scene. Police commanders Witsanu Paengyakaew and Somchai Prommin led the skilled local team. They carefully reviewed local security cameras to find a reliable lead. The helpful video footage showed the thieves driving away in a white Toyota Yaris Ativ.

To avoid tracking, the criminals completely removed the car’s license plates. Despite this clever trick, the police easily tracked the vehicle across the busy city. They soon found the white car parked at the Central Chiang Rai shopping mall.

Suspects Arrested in Central Mall Parking Lot

Officers quietly surrounded the parked car to prevent any sudden escapes. They found a 28-year-old man named Pongsatorn waiting near the vehicle. Police searched him and quickly found nine methamphetamine pills hidden in his pockets.

Pongsatorn instantly denied breaking into the damaged bank machine. He claimed he was simply the driver for the late-night trip. He firmly told the police that his friend was the actual thief.

He pointed the finger directly at his 24-year-old friend, Tosaporn. At that exact moment, Tosaporn was casually buying goods inside the busy mall. Officers quickly went inside and safely arrested him without causing any public panic.

After arresting both men, police thoroughly searched the white getaway car. They opened the trunk and found a large stash of heavy burglary tools. These specific items clearly linked the two men to the recent morning crime.

The dangerous tools included a heavy hammer, an electric grinder, a screwdriver, and a thick iron bar. More importantly, officers found the stolen cash reject box hidden in the back. This specific box belonged to the damaged ATM.

The evidence in the trunk perfectly matched the damage left at the bank. It proved Pongsatorn drove the getaway car while his younger friend did the heavy lifting. The undeniable physical proof made it entirely impossible for them to escape the legal charges.

Phone Chats Reveal a Bigger Criminal Plot

The current case seemed completely closed, but the officers decided to dig deeper. They closely checked the suspects’ mobile phones for more digital clues. What they found deeply shocked the local Chiang Rai police force.

The two friends had sent many text messages to each other over the week. These saved messages outlined a highly detailed plan to rob local gold shops. They wanted to attack several different jewelry stores in the coming weeks.

Their main motive for these planned violent attacks was very simple. They wanted quick cash to pay for parties, late-night entertainment, and more illegal drugs. Their growing greed nearly led to a highly dangerous and violent crime spree.

Thanks to incredibly quick police work, the local gold shops remain entirely safe. The officers successfully stopped a dangerous criminal plot before it could ever begin. Local business owners can now breathe a massive sigh of relief.

Both suspects are currently sitting securely in local police custody. Arresting officers handed them over to the main investigation team for processing. They will firmly face serious legal charges in a court of law very soon.

The police will formally charge the duo for the late-night theft, illegal drug possession, and their dangerous future plots. This successful arrest clearly shows how fast police action keeps the general public safe. Local citizens deeply appreciate the swift and highly effective response of the dedicated authorities.