Manhunt launched for armed gold shop robber
Police in Saraburi province have launched a manhunt after a knife-wielding robber stormed into a gold shop, held a customer hostage, and fled with necklaces worth about 240,000 baht. The dramatic incident unfolded Wednesday afternoon at Por Udomsuk gold shop in the Tha Lan market area of Ban Mo district.
Authorities said the robber, a man believed to be between 30 and 40 years old, arrived on a motorcycle with no license plate. Dressed in a long-sleeved jacket, jeans, helmet, and face mask, he forced his way inside the shop.
The suspect seized a female customer, later identified as 57-year-old Sureenut Buasri, who had just pawned a gold ring. Security footage shows him holding a knife to her waist while shouting at shop owner Nanthawan Piamkhiew, 72, to hand over gold or he would kill the hostage.
Fearing for the woman’s life, the owner complied and filled a bag with 15 necklaces valued at roughly 240,000 baht. The assailant then escaped on his motorcycle toward neighboring Ayutthaya province.
Sureenut, visibly shaken, told police she had only gone to pawn her ring for 5,000 baht to pay medical expenses for her young grandson. “I thought I was going to die. I kept thinking about my children and grandchildren,” she said through tears.
Investigators revealed the suspect shouted during the robbery that he needed money to pay off gambling debts, suggesting financial desperation played a role in the crime.
Police have since deployed teams across Ban Mo and surrounding districts to track him down. Officers are analyzing security footage and interviewing witnesses in hopes of identifying the culprit.
This is not the first time the Por Udomsuk gold shop has been targeted. Just two months earlier, another thief escaped with a one-baht gold ring worth more than 50,000 baht. That suspect was later caught, but the latest incident has renewed concerns over repeat attacks.
Authorities urged anyone with information to contact Ban Mo police immediately as the manhunt intensifies. Residents in the area have been advised to stay alert, while shop owners are reviewing security precautions to prevent similar robberies.
The case highlights growing concerns about financially motivated crimes, with gambling debts often pushing individuals to desperate acts. Police said they are determined to bring the perpetrator to justice swiftly to reassure the community and prevent further incidents.
