KALASIN: An arrest warrant was issued on Thursday for a man wanted for the shooting of a male student and abduction and rape of his female companion.
The Kalasin Court approved a warrant to arrest Tissanu Thonarat on charges of attempted murder, rape and illegally possessing a firearm.
- Earlier report: Police launch hunt for armed rapist
Investigators believe the 30-year-old man was the man who shot Sema Saengrit, a university student, in the face and abducted a female university colleague riding pillion on his motorcycle in Na Mon district early on Tuesday morning. The woman later told police she was raped by her abductor in his pickup truck amd then abandoned alone on Phu Phan mountain.
Police raided the suspect's house in Kham Muang district on Wednesday night and found the vehicle believed used in the assault. They did not find Mr Tissanu there.
Kalasin police chief Pol Maj Gen Montree Charanpong said on Thursday the female student had confirmed it was the truck used in her abduction.
Tissanu Thonarat, wanted on charges of abduction, rape and attempted murder. (Kalasin police photo)
Forensic police collected fingerprints and other evidence from the vehicle to back up the charges.
Pol Maj Gen Montree said police were combing through the mountainous area of Phu Phan in Kham Muang, tracking his relatives in neighbouring Sakon Nakhon and checking on the possibility he had fled to Bangkok.
"The suspect could be be armed. Police do not rule out arresting him dead if they have to defend themselves against possible exchanges of gunfire," he said.
