Songkhla:A fisherman has been apprehended after attempting to steal a gold ring from a shop in a desperate bid to meet his girlfriend's dowry demand.

According to Thai News Agency, the incident took place at a gold shop in Ko Kaeo Subdistrict, Mueang Songkhla District, when a man snatched a 1-salung gold ring, valued at 18,000 baht, and fled. The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Atib, explained that he resorted to theft to obtain the necessary funds for a dowry, as his girlfriend had set an ultimatum of 70,000 baht by October 30 for their marriage to proceed.

The robbery occurred at approximately 415 PM on October 29. Atib, wearing a baseball cap and carrying a bag, pretended to be interested in purchasing a ring. When shown the 1-salung gold ring, he seized the opportunity to grab it and quickly fled the scene. Police, under the directive of Pol. Maj. Gen. Sakon Anontrat, swiftly pursued the thief, utilizing CCTV footage to track him. He was seen escaping on a motorcycle and was later apprehended at his girlfriend's residence in the Kao Saeng community.

The arrest posed challenges as Atib resisted, even biting a police officer’s finger. However, authorities managed to subdue him and recover the stolen ring, which was found on the finger of his 40-year-old girlfriend. Atib, a crew member on a fishing boat, confessed to the crime, citing the urgency of meeting the dowry deadline set by his girlfriend. He had traveled by shared taxi to the gold shop, believing it would be easier to commit the theft on the outskirts.

Following his confession, Atib faced charges of robbery, derailing his plans to marry and resulting in his incarceration.