Yesterday, Don Mueang police announced the arrest of a 40-year-old painter, who was caught disguised as a plainclothes law enforcement officer and attempting to steal money from a taxi driver.
Sithichai Nonthalak was nabbed at Don Mueang Airport on Vibhavadi Rungsit Road on Jan 15. The capture followed 11 police reports filed by taxi drivers who had been cheated by Sithichai after providing him services. Sithichai made away with more than THB40,000 in cash over the last three months.
Police said that Sithichai deliberately called taxis in front of several police stations, including Huai Khwang, Sutthisan and Lat Phrao. He then asked drivers for a round-trip ride to buy airplane tickets for his fictional boss – the “Deputy Chief.” At the airport, the con man pretended to leave the cash at the station and asked to borrow some from the victims, promising to reimburse them once he returned to the station. Sithichai never returned, making off with the money instead.
According to Dailynews, the painter admitted to the swindles, saying that he could not make ends meet with his regular paychecks.
