BURI RAM: A man claiming to be a relative of a patient was arrested after leaving the public hospital in Muang district early on Thursday morning and charged with stealing a handbag and contents belonging to a teenager taking care of her sick grandfather in the public ward.
Charoen Watwapee, 53, of Phutthaisong district, was caught in front of Buri Ram Hospital by security guards alerted to a theft in the public ward, said Pol Capt Khatthiya Phetkla, deputy investigation chief at Muang police station. It was reported to police around 5.20am.
The man had a stolen handbag containing some cash, two mobile phones, a bankbook and an ATM card in his possession.
Nisa Thanakornkittisuk, 17, had reported the theft to hospital staff and she confirmed the handbag and other items belonged to her.
Ms Nisa told police she had stayed overnight in the public ward, keeping her sick grandfather company.
She had dozed through the night, like other patients’ relatives, and Mr Charoen was among the people also staying in the ward.
He had suggested she move closer to him as there was more space there for sleeping. She did not detect anything suspicious about his offer, until she awoke around 4am and found her handbag had vanished. And so had Mr Charoen. She quickly alerted the hospital security guards.
Mr Charoen initially denied any knowledge of the theft. He claimed he stayed overnight at the hospital to take care of a relative, but the relative had left before him. Police did not believe him, pointing out the stolen items were found in his possession.
He was charged with theft. Police suspect it was not the first time he had stolen from people visiting a hospital.