Bangkok: An elderly man who claimed to be a police officer and extorted money from the abbot of a well-known temple in Thonburi has been apprehended. The suspect, Mr. Jup Thipsuna, 43, was arrested on Phahonyothin Road in Ayutthaya Province as part of an investigation into fraudulent activities involving impersonation.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Jup Thipsuna was detained under an arrest warrant issued by the Thonburi Criminal Court. The charges stem from an incident captured on CCTV on March 18, where Mr. Jup and his accomplices arrived at Wat Ang Kaew in a black pickup truck and persuaded the abbot to hand over money under the guise of needing it to welcome a newly transferred police chief. The vehicle used in the incident was later found to have a fake license plate.

Pol. Lt. Col. Khajorn Toopprakaisri, Inspector of Investigation at Bang Khun Thian Police Station, stated that the police acted swiftly upon receiving the report. The investigation team utilized CCTV footage and coordinated with the Highway Police to successfully intercept the suspect. Mr. Jup confessed to the crime and admitted involvement in similar activities at other temples, including those in the Lam Luk Ka and Sai Mai areas.

During the investigation, it was revealed that Mr. Jup and his group had a history of soliciting money from temples. They had previously been arrested in 1967 and fined for similar offenses. The police are currently pursuing the arrest of Mr. Jup’s two accomplices, whose identities are already known. The group allegedly also posed as journalists to carry out their fraudulent activities across various locations.