The sly couple known for their signature method of distracting targets with a cute dog or baby were finally arrested at a rented home in Bangkok yesterday, ending a 15-year hunt for the duo notoriously — if unimaginatively — known as the “dog-carrying” thieves.
Police tracked down 42-year-old Apichart Boonreung and his 38-year-old wife, Tiyata, to a two-story townhouse on Phaholyothin Soi 52. After the arrest, police took the suspects to a agricultural equipment store in Pathum Thani province — scene of their latest alleged crime on Aug. 6 — and carried out everyone’s favorite Thai police tradition: a crime reenactment.
While reenactments are routine, this one did not go particularly well.
About 10 minutes into the reenactment, store owner Rossikhun Wimoonchart, who had whipped up an angry mob outside, rushed into the store to attack Apichart, reported Thairath.
Refusing to back down, Apichart ran straight toward the crowd in order to fight back.
To break up the commotion, police were forced to end the reenactment, put the couple back into the car and immediately drive off. This is why we can’t have anything nice, Thailand.
According to authorities, about 52 victims have stepped forward to file charges against the duo, claiming total damages valued at a whopping THB10 million (about US$305,000).
After searching the couple’s home in Nonthaburi province, police confiscated three cars, a gun, 55 mobile phones, 10 credit and ATM cards, 20 watches, 18 national ID cards from prevoius victims, and 55 brand name purses.
Well, hot damn.
While it is unclear how many crimes the couple are responsible for, police have issued warrants in 17 cases, the oldest of which, reportedly, dates back as early as 2002, according to Khaosod.
Police say the duo has a distinct method to their alleged crimes.They would carry a dog or a baby to appear harmless. One of them would ask a shop owner for help with an extensive shopping list while the other grabbed their purse.
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