Two Chinese nationals wanted in connection with a series of luxury home burglaries in Nonthaburi province have been arrested at Suvarnabhumi airport after returning to Thailand.
Police believed the suspects were preparing to target more luxury housing estates in Nonthaburi, following an earlier spree in which valuables worth more than 1 million baht were stolen.
The duo apparently timed their return to coincide with the long holiday this week in Thailand, when some homeowners might be away, said Pol Lt Col Chatthawat Siribenjasak, investigation chief at the Chaiyaphruek police station.
The suspects — Jiang Lebao, 49, and Hong Feixing, 49 — were apprehended at the international arrivals hall of Suvarnabhumi airport late Monday night on warrants issued by the Nonthaburi Provincial Court on May 11, police said on Tuesday.
The arresting team from the Chaiyaphruek station seized several items believed to have been intended for use in future burglaries, including clothing, shoulder bags, shoes, balaclavas, gloves and other items.
The pair face charges of committing theft in a dwelling at night, property damage, unauthorised access, disguising themselves to conceal their identities, and acting in concert with two or more accomplices.
The arrests followed an investigation into a series of break-ins on April 9 and April 11 at a high-end housing estate in tambon Bang Tanai of Pak Kret district in Nonthaburi.
Investigators said the two suspects together with a third Chinese national, Chen Wenhua, who is still at large, broke into several luxury homes and stole valuables worth an estimated 1 million baht.
Investigators reviewed CCTV video and found that the three men took a Grab vehicle to an area near the estate before walking across vacant land behind the compound and climbing over the perimeter fence to gain entry.
Police said the stolen property was sold in another province before the suspects flew back to China.
Police later gathered sufficient evidence to obtain arrest warrants and coordinated with immigration officers to monitor the suspects’ return to Thailand.
Pol Lt Col Chatthawat said the two Chinese suspects and an accomplice stayed at a hotel in the Don Muang area of Bangkok before hiring a vehicle to a luxury housing estate in Pak Kret, where they burgled four houses.
The stolen items, including gold necklaces, cash and luxury brand-name handbags, were reportedly sold in Pattaya on April 12 before the group returned to China on April 14.
Police traced the suspects through hotel records, confirmed their identities and obtained arrest warrants for all three men. The third suspect did not accompany the two suspects on their latest trip to Thailand.
During questioning, both suspects denied all charges. Police said they would question the men further with the assistance of an interpreter.
