Bangkok: A watch repairman has been arrested for allegedly operating a shop as a front to steal and pawn customers’ watches. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) apprehended 60-year-old Narin, who was wanted by the Thanyaburi Provincial Court and Surat Thani Provincial Court on charges of theft and embezzlement.

According to Thai News Agency, Narin pawned 11 wristwatches belonging to his employer, including two owned by actress and television host Nino Methani Buranasiri, after they were brought in for repairs. The suspect reportedly received 500,000 baht from pawning the watches. The most recent incident occurred on September 2, 2015, after which Narin fled to Si Sa Ket Province to evade capture.

Following a comprehensive investigation, police tracked down Narin to a rented room in Sisaket Province, where he had been hiding for 10 days. Authorities presented an arrest warrant and detained him. A background check revealed Narin had an outstanding warrant for embezzlement from the Surat Thani Provincial Court. Officers also seized 10 pawn tickets for watches as evidence.

Initially, Narin confessed to all charges, admitting that he used some of the money from pawning the watches for online gambling and transferred some to his wife in Laos. Investigations revealed that less than 10,000 baht remained in his account.