PHUKET: Two alleged Phuket snatch-and-ride raiders were nabbed by police within minutes of robbing a pair of Australian tourists in Patong last night.
The raiders grabbed the shoulder bag of Abeer Yousef, 40, as she strolled along beach road near the Graceland Resort with Moussa Ahmad ,49, about 9pm.
Patrol police on a motorcycle raced to the spot within seconds and radioed to colleagues in Kalim, the next bay north of Patong, who intercepted the alleged raiders with the loot.
The Australians were delighted to have the case resolved so quickly. Police said patrols were prepared for action because there had been similar robberies on the previous two evenings.
The victims in the previous cases were not revealed. In the bag snatched last night were 3500 baht in cash, foreign currency, two passports, a driving licence and a credit card.
Surachai Saidungkeaw, 32, denied taking part in the robbery but Vera Maliton, 19, confessed. He said he was out of work and wanted to head home to the province of Nakorn Si Tammarat.
Snatch-and-ride robberies increase on Phuket in times of economic hardship.
The raiders grabbed the shoulder bag of Abeer Yousef, 40, as she strolled along beach road near the Graceland Resort with Moussa Ahmad ,49, about 9pm.
Patrol police on a motorcycle raced to the spot within seconds and radioed to colleagues in Kalim, the next bay north of Patong, who intercepted the alleged raiders with the loot.
The Australians were delighted to have the case resolved so quickly. Police said patrols were prepared for action because there had been similar robberies on the previous two evenings.
The victims in the previous cases were not revealed. In the bag snatched last night were 3500 baht in cash, foreign currency, two passports, a driving licence and a credit card.
Surachai Saidungkeaw, 32, denied taking part in the robbery but Vera Maliton, 19, confessed. He said he was out of work and wanted to head home to the province of Nakorn Si Tammarat.
Snatch-and-ride robberies increase on Phuket in times of economic hardship.
Good job by the Royal Thai Police, fast and effective, and happy for the Aussies that they got back passports and creditcard
Posted by Rune on February 25, 2012 11:09