Two Chinese nationals utilized remote-controlled signal jammers to carry out clever thefts at highway rest stops. Authorities apprehended them on-site and revealed a method for pilfering money from credit cards associated with a gang operating from a call center.
The Chachoengsao police have responded to numerous reports of theft at the Bang Pakong highway rest area, where vehicles have been broken into and valuables, especially credit cards, have been stolen. This has led to considerable anxiety for drivers utilizing this roadway.
In Chachoengsao, the Bang Pakong police worked in conjunction with the Central Investigation Police to promptly track down the offenders. They discovered crucial leads from the CCTV footage captured at the various crime scenes.
The suspects are believed to be Chinese, known for utilizing a similar approach in their activities. They operate as an organized gang with a well-defined distribution of tasks between Zhang, who is 38 years old, and Zheng, who is 31.
On September 15, the investigative team wrapped up their inquiries at the crime scene and, in a coordinated effort, arrested two Chinese individuals at a service area along the highway in Khao Din Town, Bang Pakong District, Chachoengsao Province.
Acknowledging the evident modus operandi of the criminals, the officers fanned out to survey the area. When the two men showed up, the police remained concealed until the suspects attempted to break into two cars, at which time they moved in to make the arrests.
Following this, law enforcement officials searched their room and discovered equipment linked to the crime, which included a remote control signal cell phone blockers, three mobile phones, a shoulder bag, and they seized a car key, a car, and other pertinent evidence.
Both individuals faced charges of "collaborative intent to commit theft with a vehicle" and "unauthorized entry and residence in Saudi Arabia as foreign nationals." Zhang denied the accusations, while Zheng accepted responsibility for them. They were then referred to the investigators of the Crime Suppression Department.
The investigation determined that the gang would hide in proximity to parking spots at highway rest areas. When they noticed victims parked and about to leave their vehicles, the first set of thieves would utilize signal jammers to disrupt the remote control signal, rendering it impossible to secure the vehicle.
Following this, an additional group of criminals would engage the victims and make calls in the vicinity to distract them, preventing the victims from realizing that their cars were left unlocked. As soon as the victims exited their vehicles, another faction of criminals would unlock the car doors and pilfer the valuables inside.
Additionally, authorities uncovered that a Thai woman, later identified as Ms. Ketfa Theeranat, 20 years old and Zheng's girlfriend, had shared the same car with the suspect before being taken to the highway rest area.
While executing a search warrant in the residence of Ms. Ketfa Theeranat in the Rama 9 District, police officers uncovered the presence of ketamine. As a result, she was arrested for "unauthorized possession of psychotropic drugs (ketamine)" and subsequently taken to Makkasan Police Station.
Simultaneously, the authorities identified the methods the suspects employed to withdraw funds from the victims' credit cards. The card readers in their possession were thought to be linked to overseas merchants or usage locations. This discovery corresponds with the investigation's data, indicating a potential association between the criminal group and the call center gang responsible for defrauding various networks.
We will pursue further examination of the case to substantiate these findings.