Suspects 'Jok' and 'Khao' Confess to Armed Gold Robbery at Samut Sakhon Department Store
Two suspects arrested within 36 hours of armed gold robbery at a Samut Sakhon department store on May 1, with police saying one man disguised as a courier stole ornaments worth 16 baht while his accomplice drove the getaway car.
At 10:00 AM on May 4, 2025, at the Samut Sakhon Provincial Police Headquarters, Senior Police Colonel Pisit Tanprasoert, commander of Region 7 Police, announced the arrest of Rathhanin (alias 'Jok'), 35, and Nontakorn (alias 'Khao'), 34, based on a Samut Sakhon Provincial Court arrest warrant. The suspects face charges of armed nighttime robbery using vehicles and weapons, possession of illegal firearms, and transporting firearms in public without justification.
The incident began on May 1, 2025, at 7:50 PM, when Jok entered Yaowarat Gold Shop inside a department store in Kokkham Subdistrict, Mueang Samut Sakhon, dressed as a motorcycle courier. He brandished a fake pistol to threaten employees, jumped over a glass counter, and took off with gold ornaments worth 16 baht. He then abandoned a Honda Click motorcycle nearby and fled in a red Suzuki sedan driven by Khao.
Police tracked the pair through Nakhon Sawan and Nan provinces, apprehending both suspects within 36 hours. Khao initially confessed but later recanted during formal questioning, though police say they have sufficient evidence. According to Jok's statement, Khao meticulously planned the robbery, conducting surveillance 3-4 days in advance, purchasing a second-hand motorcycle, acquiring a fake gun and courier uniform, and serving as the getaway driver. Khao has prior convictions for theft of nearly 300 baht in gold jewelry in Nan Province and several other offenses.
