Woman teacher, husband charged with burglary, theft

Woman teacher, husband charged with burglary, theft

The 43-year-old teacher from a school in Buri Ram's Na Pho district and her security guard husband, 50, at the police media briefing, along with stolen goods found at their house - whichincluded silk clothing, gold necklaces and Buddha statuettes. (Photo by Surachai Piragsa)
The 43-year-old teacher from a school in Buri Ram's Na Pho district and her security guard husband, 50, at the police media briefing, along with stolen goods found at their house - whichincluded silk clothing, gold necklaces and Buddha statuettes. (Photo by Surachai Piragsa)

BURI RAM: A woman teacher and her security guard husband have been arrested on charges of breaking into houses in Na Pho district and stealing goods worth about 500,000 baht in total.

Provincial education authorities have also launched an inquiry into her activities and she could also face disciplinary charges, Somsak Chopthamdee, chief of the Buri Ram education office, said on Thursday.

The teacher, Supaporn (surname withheld), 43, is on the staff of a primary school in Na Pho district, which adjoins Maha Sarakham province to the north. She and her husband Suwat, 50, an airport security guard, were arrested by police on Wednesday. 

Police also seized many stolen items - 21 sets of silk clothing, 10 Buddha statuettes, two gold necklaces, an a forced open safe, and other valuables with a combined value of over 500,000 baht - along with seven machetes, a chopping knife, a pistol, about 50 bullets and two BB guns.

The couple and the stolen items were present at a police media briefing at Na Pho police station on Wednesday. They have been charged with theft and illegal possession of firearms.

The provincial education chief said he had ordered the fact-finding panel to expedite its inquiries so that a  disciplinary investigation could be launched. Ms Supaporn could face dismissal from the teaching service if the charges were substantiated, Mr Somsak said.

The teacher and her husband were arrested following several complaints in July to police in Na Pho district about burglars stealing silk clothes and other valuable items from people's homes.

One victim later saw her missing silk clothing offered for sale on a Facebook page. She promptly informed police, who tracked down the Facebook user selling the clothes. The seller implicated Ms Supaporn, and that led to the couple's arrest.

Police then searched their house and found the stolen goods.

Five victims showed up at the police station and identified stolen items. The couple denied the theft charges, claiming they bought the goods. Investigators were not convinced by their denials and the couple were held over in police custody for legal action.

Stolen items, including a forced open safe, shown during the  media briefing ar Na Pho on Wednesday. (Photo by Surachai Piragsa)

Stolen silk clothing seized at the arrested couple's house. (Photo by Surachai Piragsa)

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