Man Arrested for Stealing Electrical Wires, Found Playing Online Slots
A 41-year-old man was arrested in Ayutthaya for stealing electrical wires from apartment buildings to fund his online gambling habit, with police discovering drug paraphernalia and ammunition during the raid.
Police in Phra In Racha district, Ayutthaya, arrested a 41-year-old man identified as Praphan (surname withheld) on August 9 after he was caught stealing electrical wires from multiple buildings in the Eua Arthorn apartment community in Chiang Rak Noi subdistrict. Residents had reported power outages caused by severed electrical cables that damaged the distribution system and required lengthy repairs. Investigators reviewed CCTV footage and witness statements, identifying a suspect who appeared at multiple buildings during the times of the incidents. Upon searching his room, police found the suspect playing online slot games and discovered drug paraphernalia. When questioned about why he avoided cutting wires from his own building, Praphan confessed he feared losing his own electricity supply.
During the room search, officers seized tools used for the theft, clothing worn during the crimes, ammunition, a mobile phone actively used for online gambling, and stolen items from incidents on August 5 and 6. Officers also noted signs of unauthorized electricity and water usage in his unit. A urine test revealed methamphetamine in his system. Police charged him with theft, illegal possession of firearms ammunition, illegal online casino gambling (online slots), and drug possession. The case has been forwarded to investigators at Phra In Racha Police Station for further legal proceedings.
