The crackdown follows a string of electrical wire thefts earlier this month, including an incident in the early hours of May 3, when copper wires were dug out and stolen from Moo Baan Siwalee in Land & Houses Park, plunging six villas into darkness.
Police made their first breakthrough last Sunday (May 11), arresting a suspect identified only as ‘Mr Big’ (assumed name) in connection with the wire thefts. An expanded investigation led officers to another member of the gang, ‘Mr Nok’, who was arrested on Wednesday (May 14) under a warrant issued by the Phuket Provincial Court.
Nok reportedly confessed to scouting quiet, unlit areas by motorcycle and cutting wires during the night. He has been handed over to investigators for further legal proceedings.
The operation escalated on Thursday night (May 15), when police staked out suspected areas and caught members of the gang in the act. Officers moved in with a coordinated ambush, but the suspects attempted to flee, ramming a police vehicle in the process. Two men ‒ ‘Mr Joe’ and ‘Mr Pui’ (assumed names) ‒ were arrested at the scene.
Seized as evidence were an Isuzu D-Max pickup truck with no license plate; a Honda JX 110 motorbike, registered in Uttaradit; two additional license plates (one Bangkok, the other Phuket); one large motor; spools of copper wire and one box of cutting tools.
The two suspects face charges of “jointly committing theft at nighttime by using a vehicle to facilitate the crime, transport stolen property, and evading arrest”.
A fifth gang member escaped during the raid, but police say they are gathering evidence to request another arrest warrant.
Chalong Police have also begun investigating shops that may have bought stolen wire. Officers are urging any residents who believe they may have been victims ‒ but have not yet reported it ‒ to come forward and contact Chalong Police Station.
Chalong Police Chief Pol Col Rungrit Rattanaphakdi previously warned of the technical knowledge behind the crimes, particularly targeting underground cables. He emphasised the urgency of arrests to prevent further power outages and disruption.