Phuket thief smashes car window, makes off with 20,000 baht

PHUKET: Police have warned motorists against leaving valuables in their cars after a Phuket thief this morning smashed a car window with a rock and made off with a bag containing 20,000 baht.

Phuket City Police were called to the scene on Wirat Hongyok Road, near Suan Luang Park (also called Chalermprakiat Ror IX Park or King’s Park), at about 7:45am.

“When we arrived, we found a couple standing near their car, visibly frightened. The front passenger-side window of their car had been smashed,” said Maj Somchai Nooboon.

The couple, who declined to be named, told police that they went to the park to exercise every morning.

“They arrived at about 6:30am and jogged for about 15 minutes,” said Maj Somchai.

After they finished, they walked back to the car and saw that the window had been smashed and a bag containing 20,000 baht had been stolen from the front passenger floorboard, he explained.

“I would like to warn everyone to refrain from leaving valuables in your cars,” Maj Somchai urged.

Police are checking CCTV footage in the area to identify the suspect.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong