Phuket –
Phuket City Police arrested a man accused of stealing several mobile phones and tablets from a shop inside a popular shopping mall, completing the operation in just two hours.
Police told the Phuket Express on Tuesday (January 20th) that the suspect, identified only as Waehamah, 26, from Tha Sala District in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, was taken into custody by investigators from Phuket City Police. The arrest was carried out under the direction of Pol. Col. Chatree Chukaew, Chief of Phuket City Police, with support from senior officers and the investigative team.
At around 12:30 p.m., the owner of a mobile phone shop in Talad Yai, Phuket Town, reported to police that a thief had broken into a locked cabinet after closing hours and stolen approximately five devices. CCTV footage provided investigators with a clear description of the suspect.
By 2:30 p.m., officers received information that a man was attempting to sell high‑end iPhones at another phone shop in Rassada Subdistrict. Investigators rushed to the scene and found Waehamah inside the store. A search of his bag revealed one iPhone and two Samsung tablets.
Police recovered:
- iPhone 13 Pro Max (light blue)
- iPhone 15 Pro Max (grey)
- iPhone 16 Pro (grey)
- Two Samsung Galaxy Tab A11 tablets (grey)
- A pair of checkerboard sneakers
During questioning, Waehamah admitted to stealing the devices earlier that day. He confessed to selling one iPhone in the morning for 10,000 baht and said he intended to sell more in the afternoon before being caught. He explained that he had been unemployed for two months and needed money to support his pregnant wife.
Police charged him with nighttime theft and receiving stolen property. He was transferred to Phuket City Police Station for further investigation and prosecution.
