Bangkok: Court issues arrest warrants for six suspects involved in the robbery of e-cigarettes in the Khlong Toei Port area. The driver who hit and killed a security guard now faces an additional charge of murder. The latest update this afternoon reveals progress in the prosecution of six criminals who stole electronic cigarettes confiscated from the Customs Department and reversed a van into a security guard, resulting in his death. Pol. Lt. Col. Noppasin Poolsawat, Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, stated that the Bangkok South Criminal Court has approved the issuance of arrest warrants for the six suspects in the case.
According to Thai News Agency, all six individuals are charged with four counts: jointly committing theft at night in a house by damaging a barrier protecting people or property, committing the crime with two or more people, using a vehicle to facilitate the crime or to escape arrest, and jointly breaking into a house at night by using force. Additionally, Mr. Sittisak or Bank faces another charge of killing another person to cover up his crime or avoid punishment.
Following the court's approval of the arrest warrants, Pol. Gen. Prachuap Wongsuk, deputy national police chief, canceled a meeting scheduled for this afternoon at Tha Ruea Police Station to allow the investigation team to focus on tracking down and arresting all suspects. A friend of Mr. King, one of the suspects, informed the media that Mr. King requested two days to handle personal matters before surrendering to investigators at Tha Ruea Police Station.
As of 2:00 p.m., the investigation division of Tha Ruea Police Station managed to arrest another suspect, Mr. Ekkachai or Ek, age 42. Mr. Phiyakorn or King, age 27, who had previously coordinated to surrender, traveled to Pak Chong Police Station after learning about the arrest warrant. Coordination with Tha Ruea Police Station is underway to bring him back for prosecution. Previously, Mr. Narin or Bird, aged 38, was questioned by the police and detained for prosecution following the court-issued arrest warrant.
As of the latest update at 2:20 p.m., police have taken control of three suspects, while three suspects with arrest warrants remain at large: Mr. Sittisak or Bank, age 38, Mr. Suwat or Lek, age 42, and Mr. Thorat or Ji, age 41.