TRANG - Police are expanding an investigation into what appears to be a nationwide network of thieves who target the engine control units (ECUs) of backhoes.
It follows the arrest of three people in Trang on Thursday.
Pol Maj Gen Sompong Thongbai, chief of Trang police, said a Trang man and two others from Bangkok were arrested for theft. Questioning the suspects revealed a network of thieves operating nationwide and in neighbouring countries.
At a news conference, Pol Maj Gen Sompong showed backhoe parts - two ECUs from CAT and Komatsu machines - seized during the arrest of theft suspect Natthapol Onkaeo, 23 of Sikao district. He said the suspect confessed to the crime.
About 10 local backhoe owners had reported losing electrical backhoe parts worth more than a million baht to thieves over the last year or two, the provincial police chief said.
Police were seeking arrest warrants for two more suspects and expanding the investigation nationwide.
One of the complainants, Sawat Othong, manager of Wong Sawat Construction Co, said the theft of the parts caused great inconvenience. They were not available locally and were difficult to replace.
