Thai authorities have announced the arrest of a criminal who was committing serial motorcycle thefts. The perpetrator could pick a lock in seconds and escape on someone else's motorcycle.
Chronology of events
Chonburi Province law enforcement officers arrested Phongsaton, who had recently stolen and sold more than forty motorcycles.
The man used a clever scheme. While driving around the city in a car, he would look for a parked motorcycle he liked. Phongsaton then left his vehicle, approached the chosen "victim" and used lock picks to break the lock in seconds. After starting the engine, the kidnapper fled in an unknown direction.
Later, the criminal photographed the stolen vehicle and posted an ad for sale on the Internet. He passed the motorcycle off as confiscated and sold it at an undervalued price. Buyers were usually found within an hour.
The investigators came on the trail of the attacker after the surveillance cameras captured another hijacking. The footage clearly shows Phongsaton breaking into a Honda Wave motorcycle in a matter of seconds and fleeing the scene.
Based on the suspect's identity, police determined that the man was already wanted in a case involving the sale of illegal drugs in Pattaya.
Confession
When questioned, Phongsaton immediately confessed to the crimes charged. He confirmed that he was the one captured on the surveillance footage.
The detainee testified that it takes him no more than fifteen seconds to open a motorcycle lock. According to him, he uses specially made lock picks.
In addition, Phongsaton confessed to committing more than forty motorcycle thefts in different cities of the kingdom. These include Pattaya, Banglamung, Laem Chabang and Siracha.
After each criminal act, the man immediately sold the stolen vehicle online. The last stolen Honda Wave motorcycle he sold for 9,000 baht (about $250).
Motives for the illegal activities
Phongsaton's primary purpose for the serial hijackings was to obtain funds to buy illegal substances and gamble online.
The kidnapper admitted that he acted alone. As he drove around the city in a car, he looked for a motorcycle he liked.
Once Phongsaton spotted the vehicle, he would leave his car nearby. After the theft, the man would return to the car and flee the scene.
Thus, the law enforcement officers of Thailand managed to identify a dangerous recidivist, who managed to steal dozens of motorcycles in a short time. In the near future, the criminal will face trial and fair punishment.
Author of the article: Ekaterina Antonova
