Car Theft in Samut Songkhram: Drug-Addled Thief Steals Vehicle in Front of Pharmacy

In a dramatic incident in Samut Songkhram, a man witnessed his car being stolen right before his eyes after briefly parking with the engine running to buy items at a pharmacy. The swift response from the police led to the arrest of the drug-addled thief just hours later.

The Incident Unfolds

The incident occurred yesterday in the Lat Yai subdistrict, Mueang district of Samut Songkhram. Police Lieutenant Padungsak Duangdao of the Samut Songkhram City Police Station received a report about a car theft in front of a local pharmacy.

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Victim’s Account

At the scene, 39-year-old Panawat, the car theft victim, was waiting to provide his account to the officers. According to Panawat, he had driven his white Toyota to the pharmacy to purchase pain relief medication. After buying the medicine, he decided to get some noodles, leaving his car engine running for less than five minutes.

Evidence and Initial Investigation

CCTV footage revealed the sequence of events. Panawat had parked his car and left the engine running while he entered the pharmacy. As he waited for his noodles, a man, appearing to be between 20 and 30 years old and wearing an orange shirt, parked an orange Honda motorcycle next to Panawat’s car, opened the car door, and drove off with the vehicle.

The thief left behind the orange motorcycle, which had two packets of instant noodles in the front basket. The police seized the motorcycle as evidence and began their investigation to locate the suspect.

By 6:30 pm, police identified the suspect as 35-year-old Sir. He was intercepted and arrested while driving the stolen car. A urine test confirmed drug use.

Suspect’s Confession

During questioning at the Samut Songkhram City Police Station, Sir confessed to having used methamphetamine for a long time. He explained that he had been unable to enter his own home and couldn’t find anyone willing to let him stay. In his desperation, he bought instant noodles to survive. Seeing Panawat’s car with the engine running, he seized the opportunity to steal it, hoping to find a new place to stay and start a new life.

Charges and Legal Proceedings

Sir has been charged with vehicle theft and driving under the influence of drugs. Legal proceedings are ongoing as authorities continue to investigate the case.

Broader Context

This incident underscores the ongoing issues related to drug abuse and crime in the area. The swift action by the Samut Songkhram police highlights the effectiveness of their response to such criminal activities. Residents are reminded to remain vigilant and take precautions to prevent similar incidents.

As the investigation continues, authorities hope to address the underlying issues of drug addiction and crime to create a safer community for all residents.