Rayong: A thrilling incident unfolded in a shopping mall in Rayong, where a thief attempted to rob a gold shop but was apprehended before escaping. A vigilant citizen managed to catch him, even as the stolen gold was still in his possession. After his arrest, the thief claimed that his actions were driven by frustration when he was unable to withdraw 1.7 million baht from his bank account, leading him to rob the gold shop in anger.

According to Thai News Agency, the incident occurred at 7:20 PM at a well-known gold shop in the mall. The thief, identified as Mr. Nattaporn, 25, approached an ATM near the shop but was unable to withdraw the money he sought. He lingered in front of the shop, pretending to be on a phone call, before asking to see a 5-baht gold chain. Keeping up the pretense, he seized the opportunity to snatch the gold and tray, making a dash down the escalator.

The swift response of a regular customer, suspecting something amiss, proved crucial. Along with other bystanders, the customer pursued the thief, eventually capturing him with the assistance of a rider and other individuals nearby.

Upon inspection, authorities found that the thief had taken 10 gold necklaces, each weighing 5 baht, with a total value of approximately 2.6 million baht. Some necklaces were damaged during the theft, with pieces falling into the escalator grooves. The brave customer who intervened sustained minor injuries but recounted the incident with satisfaction, noting the collective effort to apprehend the thief.

Mr. Nattaporn, a native of Chumphon and a durian cutter in Chanthaburi, explained his actions as a result of his financial frustration. He claimed that he had intended to withdraw money to purchase land for his mother but was informed by the bank that only 3 baht could be withdrawn, despite his account holding 1.7 million baht. His anger led to the impulsive crime, compounded by the fact that he had consumed a methamphetamine pill prior to the event. He expressed remorse, stating that this was his first attempt at such a crime, driven purely by his inability to access his savings.