– Patcharapol Charoenphiraya, 42, also known as Nam, was arrested on October 18th after Kanyanat, 27, recognized him at a Jomtien restaurant and kept him talking until police arrived.
– While being taken to Pattaya Provincial Court for initial detention, he unlocked his handcuffs, fled the transport vehicle, climbed a rear wall, and disappeared into a nearby area.
– On the evening of October 19th the victim told police she was shocked and afraid he might return seeking revenge because she had pointed him out.
– Pattaya City Police have deployed uniformed and plainclothes officers to search for him. The public is asked to report any sightings immediately.
Pattaya: The man suspected of robbing a number of local businesses in Pattaya that was arrested after a coffee-shop owner kept him talking over beer in Jomtien as reported previously has escaped while being taken to court late this afternoon, leaving the victim fearful and police searching for him, publicly releasing his photo, and asking for the public to report any sightings at the police hotline 191.
Patcharapol Charoenphiraya, 42, known as Nam, was detained early on October 18th at Jee Beer Kon La Yam restaurant in Jomtien. Kanyanat, 27, had recognized him as the man she believed broke into her CC Smile Coffee shop on Pattaya 3rd Road on August 1st, taking items worth more than 40,000 baht. She invited him to sit, ordered beer, and had the restaurant call police. Officers found he already had one outstanding theft warrant, and other victims later came forward. The story later went viral.
While officers were transporting him to Pattaya Provincial Court today for the first detention hearing, he managed to unlock his handcuffs. Reports say he jumped from the vehicle, ran, climbed the rear wall of the court compound, and disappeared into a nearby housing area. He has not been recaptured.
At about 9:16 p.m. on October 19th, Kanyanat went to Pattaya City Police Station to ask about the search. She said she was shocked that he had escaped only one day after being caught while in custody. She told officers she now fears he may come back to harm her because she identified him and because he has a record of thefts. She urged police to catch him quickly so he does not commit further crimes in Pattaya or nearby areas.
Pattaya City Police have ordered both uniformed and plainclothes officers to search intensively. Investigators believe he has not gone far. Police are asking the public to report anyone matching his description to the nearest station so he can be rearrested. No further details on the exact method of the handcuff escape or the current search area have been released.