Two men arrested after suspected wire theft at Koh Kaew housing estate office
Two men were arrested at a housing estate office in Koh Kaew after police said they were found inspecting electrical wiring and carrying tools and copper wire. Both also tested positive for methamphetamine, police said.
Two Thai men were arrested at a housing estate office in Koh Kaew on June 16 after police received a report of suspicious activity, Phuket City Police said.
The arrests were made at about 4:40pm at the office of the Phanasorn Resort housing estate in Laem Hin, Moo 7. Police said the operation was led by Pol Lt Vinyu Boonmee, deputy patrol inspector at Phuket City Police Station, along with Sgt Col Theera Maneerat, members of the Koh Kaew patrol unit and Moo 7 village headman Thawat Changlek.
Police identified the suspects only as 35-year-old Khwanchai and 27-year-old Anan. According to the police report, officers found a blue Honda Sonic motorcycle parked inside the fenced compound of the village office when they arrived. After entering the building, they allegedly found the two men inspecting electrical wiring inside the office.
Police said Anan was holding a screwdriver when officers confronted the pair, while a black-and-red shoulder bag found nearby was claimed by Khwanchai. A search of the bag uncovered five wire cutters, three screwdrivers, two utility knives, a flashlight, lengths of red and green copper electrical wire measuring about five metres each, a five-metre length of rope and other tools police believed were intended for use in the theft.
Police also seized the Honda Sonic motorcycle, which Anan admitted belonged to him.
Both men were charged with jointly committing theft using a vehicle, which carries heavier penalties under Thai law than ordinary theft.
Police said preliminary urine tests on both suspects returned positive results for methamphetamine. They were subsequently charged with consuming a Category 1 narcotic, methamphetamine, without permission.
The suspects and the seized items were taken to Phuket City Police Station for further legal proceedings. Police have not reported the value of any property allegedly targeted or whether any electrical wiring had been removed before officers arrived.
