Bangkok: Police arrested a 56-year-old man who had been stealing shoes from people who went to make merit at temples in Bangkok. When they searched his room, they were shocked to find more than 50 pairs of famous brand shoes piled up all over the room.
According to Thai News Agency, the arrest occurred at 00.30 this morning when Pol. Maj. Gen. Samart Promchat, Commander of Metropolitan Police Division 6, ordered Pol. Lt. Col. Suwit Lomsak, Inspector of Investigation, and the investigation division of Samranrat Police Station to jointly arrest Mr. Surasak, age 56. He was apprehended along with evidence of sports shoes, sneakers, and flip-flops, totaling approximately 50 pairs. The arrest took place in a rented room with no number in Soi Nakkila Laemthong 5, Thap Chang Subdistrict, Saphan Sung District, Bangkok.
The investigation began following a report received at 2:00 PM on January 1 by the investigation division of Samran Rat Police Station. The report detailed a theft at Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan, Bowon Niwet Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon District. A victim reported that he had come to make merit at the temple, left his sneakers on the stairs while paying respects to the Buddha, and found them missing after about 15 minutes.
CCTV footage revealed a man in a white shirt with black stripes and a black cap taking the sneakers and fleeing. He was seen leaving the temple, boarding a bus, and getting off in front of the Sports Village Market in Saphan Sung District, eventually entering a rented room. Upon inspection, officers discovered approximately 50 pairs of sports shoes, sneakers, and sandals, which were seized as evidence.
Mr. Surasak admitted during questioning that he was the individual captured on CCTV and had stolen the sneakers from Wat Ratchanadda. He also confessed to stealing a pair of gold VERSACE sandals from Wat Bowonniwet on January 4th. He accumulated over 50 pairs of shoes from various places and temples, storing them in his rented room.
Further investigation revealed Mr. Surasak's previous criminal record of theft at several police stations, including Phaya Thai, Samranrat, Pathumwan, Lumpini, and Thonglor. He was taken to Samranrat Police Station for legal proceedings.