– Police arrested an American national in Naklua on October 22nd under a Pattaya Provincial Court warrant.
– The suspect is accused of joining another man in assaulting and robbing American YouTuber Christopher Barnes on Thappraya Road on October 18th.
– Police say the arrested man acknowledged his identity under the warrant and confessed to the allegations during questioning.
– Investigators are continuing efforts to locate the second suspect.
PATTAYA, Thailand – Pattaya police have arrested one of two American men accused of assaulting and robbing fellow U.S. national and YouTuber Christopher BarneS in Pattaya, while the search continues for the second suspect.
Police said the arrest took place at approximately 12:30 p.m. on October 22, 2026, after investigators received a tip that the wanted man was staying at a residence in the Naklua area of Banglamung District, Chonburi.
The suspect was identified as Mr. Avery, an American national. Officers from the Pattaya City Police Station investigation team located and arrested him outside a residence in Village 6, Naklua, under an arrest warrant issued by Pattaya Provincial Court on October 21st.
According to police, the warrant alleges that Avery jointly committed robbery at night, resulting in physical or psychological harm to another person.
Officers said an interpreter was present to translate the arrest warrant and explain the allegations to the suspect. Police stated that Avery confirmed he was the person named in the warrant and confessed to the allegations. The case remains subject to the judicial process.
The arrest follows an investigation into the alleged assault and robbery of Christopher Barnes, a 37-year-old American YouTuber, during the early hours of October 18. Barnes reported that two men attacked him near Thappraya Road in Pattaya and took his shoulder bag containing several personal belongings.
The missing property reportedly included a DJI Osmo camera, Apple wireless earphones, bank cards, and his passport. Barnes sustained injuries and then publicised his account of the incident in a video posted to his YouTube channel.
Following the initial complaint, Pattaya police reviewed CCTV footage and gathered evidence that they said helped identify the two alleged attackers. Authorities previously announced that arrest warrants had been obtained for both men.
The latest operation was conducted under the direction of Pattaya City Police Station Superintendent Pol. Col. Anek Sratongyu, with senior investigative officers coordinating efforts to track down the suspects.
Police said investigators are continuing to search for the second alleged participant and intend to bring him into custody to face the charges.