BURIRAM: A safe robber was found dead at a petrol station in Nang Rong district with live electrical wires attached to his body after police called to the scene by an alarm surrounded the premises.
Police were alerted by staff of the PTT petrol station about 1am on Sunday. They said they heard an alarm and saw a flashlight beam moving around inside the closed, darkened office.
Police arriving at the scene were unable to enter because the door was locked. So they laid siege to prevent the trespasser escaping.
When station manager Charoensri Polsep arrived she gave police the door key. Inside the office, police found the safe had been damaged in an attempt to open it, but it was still shut. There was a dead man in the office kitchen.
Police said the dead man was Arthit Sophapia, 39, from Maha Sarakham province. He had a mask over his face and had bare wires tied to his arm and leg and the other end was plugged into a wall socket.
Rescue workers were unable to resuscitate the man. Police assumed he committed suicide to avoid arrest and prosecution.
Police said his bag contained burglar's tools and 100,000 baht in cash.
Surveillance camera footage showed Arthit entered the office and used a handheld circular saw to try to open the safe. He was discovered by petrol station staff before he could open it.
Police said Arthit was wanted for breaking and entering and theft at petrol stations in many northeastern provinces.