Russian Wanted in 600,000 Baht Phuket Mall Safe Theft
Police have issued an arrest warrant for a 47-year-old Russian man accused of stealing approximately 600,000 baht from a currency exchange shop at a Phuket mall on July 19. Vitalii Kobin, who allegedly broke into a safe and fled the scene,
PHUKET — Police have obtained an arrest warrant for a 47-year-old Russian man accused of breaking into a currency exchange shop at a major shopping mall and stealing around 600,000 baht in cash.
The burglary occurred on 19 July at a foreign currency exchange shop inside a major shopping mall in Wichit subdistrict, Mueang Phuket district. The suspect allegedly broke into the shop's office, opened a safe, and took approximately 600,000 baht before fleeing.
Pol Col Somsak Thongkliang, chief of Wichit Police Station, said investigators had gathered sufficient evidence to identify the suspect. Phuket Provincial Court issued an arrest warrant on 27 July.
The suspect was identified as Vitalii Kobin, a 47-year-old Russian national. He is facing charges of nighttime theft involving the use of a vehicle to facilitate the crime, transport stolen property, or evade arrest.
Investigators believe Kobin planned the burglary meticulously, including disguising himself to avoid detection and using a vehicle to escape after the theft. Police also discovered that Kobin had overstayed his permitted stay in Thailand since 2025.
Authorities believe the suspect may still be hiding and moving around somewhere in Thailand. Police are actively searching for him and coordinating with relevant agencies to locate, arrest, and bring him to justice.
