Cops nab man over Google Maps robberies
Khon Kaen authorities yesterday arrested a man for allegedly using Google Maps Street View to break into over 100 houses and steal valuables exceeding two million baht.
The suspect, identified as Thotsawat Lert-arayakul, 22, a Nakhon Ratchasima native, was apprehended at his apartment in Muang district.
Police also impounded a motorcycle, a mobile phone, gold ornaments, electrical appliances, diamond rings, watches and over 140 valuable items worth more than two million baht.
According to the Provincial Police Region 4 commissioner Pol Lt Gen Boonlert Jaipradit, an investigation was launched after a number of luxury housing estate residents in Muang district lodged burglary and theft complaints with police last week.
Local authorities examined CCTV footage, collected fingerprints and also questioned several pawnshop operators. They found a number had bought personal property from the same group of men numerous times.
Police concluded that all of the burglaries were by the same person, and arrested Mr Thotsawat.
Officers said the man confessed he had been looting houses since March last year, targeting only those in luxury estates where occupants rarely stayed home and had fixed schedules for leaving and returning.
Mr Thotsawat admitted to using Google Maps Street View to inspect homes before each robbery, adding that most modern housing estates feature low-level walls and fences, police said. He said he gave stolen valuables to four accomplices to sell to pawnshops. The accomplices remain at large.
Pol Lt Gen Boonler said Mr Thotsawat took only five to 10 minutes to break into targeted houses as he had experience working in aluminum and mirror shops and knew how to remove louvres and latches.