CHON BURI: A Russian man has been apprehended and charged after he allegedly robbed a foreign exchange booth and fled with almost 1 million baht in cash.
Nikolay Rybalov, 32, was arrested by immigration police at Suvarnabhumi airport on Saturday evening as he was trying to leave the country, hours after the robbery at CC Exchange in tambon Na Jomtien in Sattahip district, police said. Immigration police sent the Russian back to Na Jomtien police station for interrogation the same night.
Police also accused him of assault, after he allegedly hit an employee at the forex booth 19 times.
Deputy national police chief Chalermkiat Srivorakhan said the suspect denied the robbery and assault charges and said the cash -- in Thai baht and US dollars -- was his personal wealth. Items believed used during the robbery -- including the suspect's clothes, motorcycle, gloves and a safety helmet -- have been sent to the Institute of Forensic Medicine at Police General Hospital in Bangkok for examination, Pol Gen Chalermkiat said.
Police are expanding the investigation to find out whether his wife was involved in the crime.
Pol Gen Chalermkiat said Mr Rybalov entered Thailand three months ago and rented a house with his wife in Bang Lamung of Chon Buri province. He said he was a former soldier planning to land a job at fitness centres in Pattaya. The Russian could have committed the robbery while he was looking for a job and running out of money, he said.
Chatchaya Chaiyayangkoon, who operates the forex booth, thanked police for catching the suspect quickly, although she was unable to retrieve all the money. The business owner said her employee, Ms Sunee, is still being treated at Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital in Sri Racha district.
