Third Member of Armed Robbery Gang Surrenders, Tearfully Claims Friend Lured Him Out on 'Patrol' Without Knowing About the Robbery Plan

At 9:30 a.m. on May 19, 2025, Lieutenant Boonchu Janthecha, duty officer at Pa Tiew Police Station, brought in Nai Chalermpon (surname withheld), alias "May," 35, from Tha Sae District, Chumphon Province, to surrender to Captain Chalad Phonnakarn, commander of Tha Sae Police Station, according to an arrest warrant issued by Chumphon Provincial Court.

The suspect is one member of an armed gang that raided and robbed a Myanmar migrant worker's home in Moo 17, Rab Ro Subdistrict, Tha Sae District, Chumphon. He faces multiple serious charges including robbery while impersonating a government official, illegal possession of firearms, threats, unlawful detention, and unauthorized gun ownership.

After being brought in for questioning and read his arrest warrant, Chalermpon confessed tearfully, claiming that a friend named "Klao" had invited him to patrol the area and taken him to the migrant worker's home, alleging it was involved in smuggling and drug activity.

Chalermpon further claimed he only spoke to the female worker to avoid alarming her and did not search for property or use weapons. However, he admitted that when boarding the vehicle to leave, he saw valuables including a safe being loaded into the truck bed. When he asked his friend "Hey! What is this?" the vehicle immediately sped away. He insisted he received no share of the stolen goods and did not know where the safe was taken. He expressed concern for his family and said he didn't want to risk breaking the law because "if something goes wrong, it's not worth it."

Chalermpon acknowledged that four people traveled together on the day of the incident before scattering and fleeing. He dropped off another friend at his home before returning to his own house, eventually deciding to turn himself in.

Meanwhile, Region 8 Police investigation unit, along with Chumphon Provincial Police and Tha Sae Police Station's investigation team, continue pursuing at least one more gang member believed to be a person of position in the area. They expect to gather evidence to request an arrest warrant from the court soon.

This case has caused significant alarm in the community, particularly because some perpetrators wore uniforms and targeted vulnerable migrant workers unlikely to report the crime. The public is watching to see if additional suspects will be identified and how far the investigation will extend within the network.