Serial Burglaries Force Khon Kaen Homeowner to Sell House
A house in Khon Kaen was burglarized three times despite being located opposite a major police headquarters and near a tourist police station. Thieves stole everything including wiring, appliances, and even the CCTV system, leading the Bangkok-based owner to list the property for sale. Police have now collected fingerprints, identified suspects, installed new cameras, and increased patrols using a new community policing app.
Khon Kaen police are hunting a thief who burglarized the same house three times, prompting the owner to put the property up for sale. The house, located in Moo 14, Sri Sila sub-district, Muang district, sits directly opposite the Region 6 Provincial Police headquarters and near the Khon Kaen tourist police station, yet was stripped of everything from electrical wiring, transformers, air conditioners, fans, televisions, Buddha images, tables, chairs, and cutlery. The culprits even cut CCTV cables, removed hard drives, and took the cameras themselves, leaving only the empty structure.
The owner, who lives in Bangkok with family, had previously filed police reports but heard nothing further. Unable to endure the situation, they posted a "for sale" sign to escape the thieves, which drew media attention.
At 11:30 a.m., Pol. Lt. Col. Preeda Kengsarikij, Deputy Chief of the Khon Kaen Provincial Investigation Unit, along with Pol. Lt. Col. Yotsawut Kaewsuethanit, Chief of Muang Khon Kaen Police Station, forensic officers, and investigators inspected the property. Pol. Lt. Col. Yotsawut noted the house was unoccupied and rarely visited, making it a target. Police have collected latent fingerprints for analysis and identified two to three suspicious youths in the area as persons of interest.
Authorities have installed new CCTV cameras to reassure the community and the owner. The municipality will add street lighting in dark areas. Police have also increased community checkpoints in the alley and will utilize the "Home Care 4.0" police app, allowing homeowners to request regular patrols, thereby reducing burglary risk.
