Five months after allegedly stealing a 250,000-baht diamond necklace in Bangkok, a 49-year-old Filipino man was detained at Suvarnabhumi airport upon his return to Thailand. He had allegedly returned to commit another heist.
Mr. Rolly Sabalza, 49, was taken into custody by Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) officers on Thursday at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on an arrest warrant issued by the Bangkok South Criminal Court.
The suspect stole the diamond-encrusted necklace on March 25 from a store in a shopping center in Bangkok’s Pathumwan neighborhood. CCTV security cameras recorded the entire event. He then departed Thailand for the Philippines.
Pol Maj Gen Theeradet said police investigators worked with investigators in the Philippines and learned he would return to Thailand to carry out another crime. They arrested him as soon as he arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport.
He said Mr. Sabalza acknowledged being the individual shown on the jewelry store’s CCTV and stealing the diamond necklace. He sold the necklace in Manila and admitted he had returned to commit another crime.
Pol Maj Gen Theeradet cautions owners and employees of gold and jewelry stores to be extra cautious when showing jewelry to customers. When consumers request to view their merchandise, he advises staff to ask them to present their passports or ID cards.
He suggested that retailers install high-definition security cameras and alarm systems that allow employees to transmit signals to neighboring police stations.
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Geoff Thomas is an award winning journalist known for his sharp insights and no-nonsense reporting style. Over the years he has worked for Reuters and the Canadian Press covering everything from political scandals to human interest stories. He brings a clear and direct approach to his work.
