KHON KAEN - Police have arrested the man accused of setting an old lady on fire after being caught out stealing money from her shop.
Police on Thursday apprehended 19-year-old Kirati Wansanoh, the main suspect in the robbery and assault in Khon Kaen province on Dec 25, during which Pai Sri-Mahong, 70, the shop's owner, was set on fire.
Mr Kirati was spotted on his way to catch a bus back to his hometown in Phetchabun province, reports said. There were some burn marks on him.
The suspect told police Mrs Pai used to be his landlord. He moved out after an argument with her but frequently returned to drink with his old neighbours.
Prior to the incident, he got into another argument with the old lady after she refused to allow him to use her toilet. Later that day, he returned to drink near the shop and attempted to steal some money from the drawer when she was not around.
Mrs Pai caught him in the act, so he hit her on the head twice with a petrol bottle, poured some on her and set it on fire, police said.