Teens 'beat, robbed' policeman

Teens 'beat, robbed' policeman

Five Bangkok teenagers who allegedly assaulted and robbed a police officer were arrested on Thursday, the deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police said.

The group comprised three males aged 18 and two others aged 17, about whom no other information was released. All live near one another in Lak Song, Bang Khae district, Pol Maj Gen Parinya Jansuriya told a press conference.

The 18-year-old suspects - Songkran Mantasuti, Sornrarm Janararm and Buranand Sooksri - were arrested in Ang Thong, Kanchanaburi and Chon Buri respectively. The 17-year-olds whose names were withheld were brought to the police by their parents. Police are tracking down two more minors involved in the crime.  

The suspects allegedly confessed to beating Pol Sgt Maj Prasert Tippachai, 43, of Phetkasem Police Station on Tuesday at 2am and took a .357 revolver and 5,000 baht in cash from him. He was accosted while riding a motorcycle home on Liap Khlong Phasi Charoen Road in Bang Khae.

The group had robbed four other people before they closed in on Pol Sgt Maj Prasert as their fifth victim on the same night, Pol Maj Gen Parinya said.

Buranand told police he hid behind a bridge foundation pillar and hit the officer in the face with a baton when he rode past him. His friends then emerged from their hideouts to assault Pol Sgt Maj Prasert before fleeing the scene on motorbikes. The officer was seriously injured with several teeth broken and severe bruises on his face.

Buranand said after the attack he recognised the victim because the officer regularly patrolled his neighbourhood. His gang split up the stolen money and fled in separate directions. Police found the officer’s gun at his relative’s home in Chon Buri.   

Songkran, another suspect, told police he had committed similar crimes for four years. The young robber had a warrant issued for his arrest in an attempted murder case in Nong Khaem district, Pol Maj Gen Parinya added.

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