Major car theft gang busted in Bangkok

Major car theft gang busted in Bangkok

The alleged gang of car thieves led by Somporn Thongruen (seated third from left) are presented at a press conference at the Metropolitan Police Bureau in Bangkok. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)
The alleged gang of car thieves led by Somporn Thongruen (seated third from left) are presented at a press conference at the Metropolitan Police Bureau in Bangkok. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)

Six members of a gang of alleged car thieves have been arrested and several stolen vehicles recovered during police raids in Bangkok.

Pol Lt Gen Sanit Mahathavorn, the acting metropolitan police chief, identified the six suspects as Somporn Thongruen, 46, his son Wanchalerm, 23, and daughter Kittiya, 21, Thanis Banchobrach, 30, Pornchai Wongsa, 21, and Tawatchai Promrungroj, 22.

Another member of the gang identified only as Frank was still at large.

Pol Lt Gen Sanit said the arrests followed an investigation into a complaint filed by Wassana Thiamchan, an official at the  Prawet district office, that her Toyota Vigo pickup had been stolen.

He said the gang was on record as the country's third largest car theft gang.

The gang leader, Mr Somporn, was wanted under three arrest warrants, Mr Wanchalerm on two, and the others one warrant each out for their arrest.

Police seized five stolen vehicles found in their possession -  Ms Wattana's Vigo pickup truck, a Mitsubishi Lancer sedan, a Toyota Altis sedan, an Isuzu pickup, and a Mitsubishi - along with a handgun and 10 devices used for breaking into vehicles.


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