Thai police have arrested a 26-year-old Russian man wanted in connection with a violent robbery in Phuket, after finding him hiding in the back seat of a car on Koh Samui.
The suspect, identified only as Dmitrii, was arrested on Thursday at Nathon Pier. He was found in the back of a Nissan car driven by another Russian, Stolbov Gleb, 25, after arriving by ferry from Don Sak.
The arrest followed coordination with Chalong Police in Phuket, who confirmed that Mr Dmitrii was wanted for his alleged role in a robbery targeting a fellow Russian.
He was taken to Koh Samui Police Station for questioning but refused to give a statement. He will be transferred to Chalong Police Station in Phuket.
According to police, Mr Dmitrii allegedly contacted the victim, a 28-year-old Russian man, and lured him to a villa in Chalong on Tuesday to discuss an investment opportunity. Instead, the victim was confronted by four foreign men, believed to be Russian, who assaulted him, detained him inside the property and forced him to transfer cryptocurrency and funds equivalent to around 1.2 million baht.
The assailants released the victim after the money was transferred. He later filed a complaint with Chalong Police.
Immigration officers said that the four other suspects are believed to have already left Thailand.
