Officers from the Phuket City Police arrested Pipatson ‘Nok’ Thongwicha at a daily rental room on Surin Rd in Phuket Town at around 4pm yesterday (July 23).
Police say the suspect, originally from Nakhon Sri Thammarat, was caught following an extensive investigation into repeated wire thefts from roadsides, commercial buildings and local businesses.
The arrest was made under a Phuket Provincial Court warrant (No. 598/2568) issued on July 14 for “joint theft at night using a vehicle to aid the crime or escape.”
Officers seized several pieces of evidence at the scene, including four to five pairs of pliers allegedly used to cut wires, clothing worn during the thefts, and a blue Honda Click motorbike.
The investigation team, operating under the direction of Pol Col Chatree Chueakaew, Superintendent of Phuket City Police Station, had tracked down the culprit following mounting complaints from local residents and businesses. Surveillance footage from multiple theft scenes played a key role in identifying and locating the suspect, police said.
Undercover officers spotted Pipatson returning to his rented room earlier in the day and coordinated with hotel staff to gain access. Upon entering, officers found the tools believed to have been used in the crimes and placed him under arrest.
During questioning at Phuket City Police Station, Pipatson reportedly confessed to cutting and stealing electrical wires in at least 12 incidents within the Phuket Town area, and another two within the Wichit Police jurisdiction.
He told police that he stripped the wires to extract the copper, which he then sold to secondhand dealers. The proceeds, he admitted, were used to buy methamphetamine pills (ya bah), pay for his accommodation and cover daily living costs.
He also claimed to have carried out the thefts with two unnamed accomplices. Police say further investigation is under way to identify and arrest the remaining suspects.
Pol Col Chatree has ordered officers to fully prosecute Pipatson in every case linked to his criminal activity, and to gather enough evidence to issue arrest warrants for his accomplices.
Authorities are also moving to take legal action against the secondhand shops suspected of knowingly purchasing stolen copper.
Police have urged any members of the public who may have been affected by wire theft or who have relevant information to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation.