Chalong Police arrest two brothers over Rawai copper wire thefts and drug offenses
Chalong Police arrested two brothers in Rawai after investigating a series of copper wire thefts from homes and construction sites, and said drugs and stripped cables were found during a search.
Police in Phuket have arrested two brothers accused of repeatedly stealing electrical cables from homes and construction sites in Rawai, after investigators linked them to a series of thefts reported throughout May.
Chalong Police said officers received six reports of copper wire thefts in the Rawai subdistrict during the month. Investigators faced difficulties because most of the crime scenes did not have CCTV coverage.
On May 30, however, three more thefts were reported in a single night, and one incident was clearly recorded on surveillance footage. Police said they traced the suspects’ escape route and identified a motorcycle matching the one seen in the video parked at a house in Rawai.
A search of the house led officers to two men identified as Mr. Hreen and Mr. Yoh, with surnames withheld. Police said they also found seven sacks and one basket filled with stripped cables.
Investigators also discovered methamphetamine tablets and drug paraphernalia at the property. Both suspects tested positive for drug use, police said.
During questioning, the brothers confessed to carrying out six thefts, according to police. Investigators said the men admitted stripping insulation from the stolen wires and selling the copper to scrap dealers to pay daily expenses and buy narcotics.
Authorities have charged the pair with theft and drug-related offenses. Both suspects and the seized evidence were handed over to Chalong investigators for legal proceedings.
Police urged residents to consider installing CCTV systems at homes and construction sites, saying surveillance footage was crucial in solving the case and remains an important tool for preventing and investigating crime.
