Police are searching for a man who has broken into several houses in the Chalong, Phuket, area and purposely scaring residents. His most recent escapade was Saturday, July 22.
A few days after the incident, Facebook user Sanna Hakala, a foreign woman, posted three pictures and a 41-second CCTV video along with text in both English and Thai warning others of the man and asking for anyone that recognizes him to report him to police.
The video, which Hakala said was from Saturday night or early on Sunday, July 23, shows a man wearing a cap tilting his head sideways, in what appears to be an attempt to avoid the CCTV camera, before physically moving the camera downwards.
“[My friends] live in my house during high season. The same guy has been harassing them before. The photos of the guy wearing a hoodie is from them. The picture of his face [from the video] is from the time I was there,” Hakala said.
“Our door was locked and somehow he still got in. He was inside the house for about 10 minutes before I woke up. I can compare the times from the CCTV camera. He woke me up by holding a flashlight above my eyes,” said Hakala.
“I know he went to a few houses in Patak Villa, where my friends lived before. They do not have CCTV, so no photos,” she added.
“He has been outside one house touching women’s underwear, and went into two other houses. But, like I said, no proof,” she said.
Hakala reported the incident to Chalong Police on Sunday.
Despite news reports and social media users stating that the man has been arrested by police, Hakala said on Thursday, “Police have not told me if they have caught him or not, but I heard at least one other guy was caught. However this was not the same guy. I saw pictures.”
Chalong Police confirmed on Thursday that they had not yet arrested the man in the CCTV footage.
Hakala’s Facebook post read: “Chalong, Phuket area beware of this creeper! This man has terrorized foreign women in Patak Villa now for some years. He will peep through your windows, trick your door locks, and come in to your house when you are sleeping. He will stand next to your bed and point a flashlight into your eyes until you wake up. He will then run out when you scream and no one has been able to stop or catch him by now. He is not only targeting foreign women living alone but has also entered a house where a woman lived with her boyfriend and he was home at the time. He was also peeping through windows at a house where a family lived with a child. He has not stolen anything from the houses he has entered.”
“The local police has been informed several times but they seem to be unable to locate or even name this man. If you have any idea who this man is or have had similar experience before then please contact the Chalong police station directly. Also be aware that he might target other housing villages in Phuket also and might target other women (not only foreign) as well.”
The post received comments from others reportedly living in the Chalong area recounting similar experiences, although it has not been confirmed whether they are incidents involving the same suspect.
Story: The Phuket News
