Former Driver Arrested for Burglary at Flood Victim's Home
Police in Nonthaburi have arrested a Lao couple, former employees of the victim's family, for burglary at a home whose owners had evacuated due to flooding. The suspects, a 45-year-old man and his 32-year-old wife, stole nearly 900,000 baht worth of property including religious items, jewelry, and a vehicle. The man confessed he committed the crime due to financial pressure and drug use, betraying the family that had once helped him.
Rattanathibet Police arrested a cunning husband-and-wife theft duo who took advantage of the homeowner's evacuation during flooding to burglarize the house, stealing nearly 1 million baht. The suspect turned out to be a former worker whom the father had employed. He returned to commit the crime again when his family faced problems. At 12:00 on October 20, 2026, Pol. Lt. Col. Prut Jamroonsat, Superintendent of Rattanathibet Police Station, Nonthaburi, along with Pol. Capt. Phusin Thon Yiphu, Deputy Superintendent, and Pol. Capt. Pracha Yonghwanwilakul, Inspector, arrested Mr. Santi (or Ot), 45, and Miss Jampa, 32, a Lao couple, along with evidence including Buddha images, amulets, wristwatches, shoulder bags, jewelry, Benjarong souvenirs, a white Peugeot sedan with Bangkok license plates used in the crime, totaling 50 items worth approximately 900,000 baht. The arrest took place at a rental room in Soi Chimphli 11, Chimphli Subdistrict, Taling Chan District, Bangkok.
The case originated on October 10, 2026, when Ms. Chanitha, 51, the victim, filed a report with Pol. Capt. Supharuek Asawaphum, investigator at Rattanathibet Police Station, stating that burglars had broken into her home. After the incident, Rattanathibet Police investigated, reviewing CCTV footage at the scene and along the escape route, which identified the culprits as Mr. Santi (or Ot) and Miss Jampa, a Lao couple. Police then tracked and arrested them along with the stolen goods.
During interrogation, Mr. Santi (or Ot) confessed that he had been a driver for the victim's father for over five years. He needed money for expenses and decided to burglarize the house. The first break-in occurred on October 8 between 21:00-22:00, assisted by an acquaintance named Mr. Tu, 42, who opened the house for him. He stole property and sold it but received little money. On October 9, he returned and stole more items, pawning two wristwatches for 13,000 baht and selling two branded bags for 700 baht. He admitted to using ice (methamphetamine) due to stress from family problems.
The victim explained that from September 26, 2026, heavy rains caused flooding in the Prachanives Village, Soi Samakkhi 58/16, Tha Sai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nonthaburi, forcing her family to relocate. Her father was hospitalized, so she stayed at the hospital until October 10, when the water receded and she returned to find the house burglarized. She reported the crime, leading to the arrest. Upon learning the thief was someone her father had helped and employed, she said she could not accept it and would not forgive.
CCTV footage from October 8 at 21:44, October 9, and October 10 at 05:23 showed Mr. Santi (or Ot) and Miss Jampa entering the property to commit theft before walking to a white sedan parked in a nearby side street. After investigation, police charged them with joint nighttime theft using a vehicle to facilitate the removal of property or to evade arrest. The suspects and evidence were handed to Rattanathibet investigators for further legal proceedings.
