Nonthaburi: CCTV footage captured the arrest of a 32-year-old man who was vengeful after a helmet was stolen and never returned. He went on a rampage stealing helmets throughout Nonthaburi province before being apprehended by police at his residence, seizing over 50 helmets.
According to Thai News Agency, CCTV footage captured 32-year-old Panuwat, a Samut Prakan resident, riding his motorcycle into a gas station and shopping mall in the Bang Yai Police Station area. He would patrol the area, inspecting vehicles with helmets hanging there, and placing them in rainbow-colored sacks placed on the front. Police traced the suspect’s residence through CCTV footage, discovering he was staying in a village in the Bang Bua Thong area. They conducted a search and seized over 50 helmets of various brands. He was then taken to Bang Yai Police Station for questioning.
This arrest stems from a victim’s report on September 24th that a thief had stolen an “Araki” helmet, valued at over 40,000 baht, from his motorcycle parked at a gas station in the Bang Yai area. Investigators, examining CCTV footage, discovered that the thief had committed numerous crimes at gas stations and department stores, using his motorcycle to carry out the crimes. He would immediately attack any motorcycle with a helmet hanging there, and had prepared a rainbow sack to store the stolen item.
During the investigation, the suspect confessed to having committed numerous crimes, primarily in front of convenience stores. He claimed that he had previously had his helmet stolen in the Bang Bua Thong area and had reported it to the police but it had not been returned. He was resentful and decided to commit the crime to vent his anger. He also attributed this to his personal preferences, choosing attractive or branded helmets to collecting. He posted some he didn’t like on Facebook, and had sold only two or three helmets so far.
Initially, police charged the suspect with “theft using a vehicle to facilitate the crime.” They also urged anyone who has had their helmet stolen in the area to come to Bang Yai Police Station to inspect the stolen items. Legal action will be taken against the suspect in all cases.