Officers swoop to arrest fake policeman

Nakhon Ratchasima police arrested a man yesterday for impersonating a police officer in a web of deception that spanned 25 years and fooled his family.

Officers from Nakhon Ratchasimabased Provincial Police Region 3 arrested Phumipat Lerttananan, 47, at his home in Muang district.

Police seized uniforms with the rank of Pol Lt Gen, a bulletproof vest, a jacket with a Royal Thai Police logo, 12 pistols, of which nine are licensed, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and three police caps at his house.

Pol Maj Gen Pakorn Sermsuwan, commander of the investigation, said the suspect initially insisted he was a real police officer attached to a drug suppression unit and he was a close aide of deputy police chief Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen. But when he failed to provide an ID card or evidence to prove his claims, he eventually confessed to impersonating an officer.

Police later questioned his wife Arporn, who was shocked when she found out. Mr Phumipat’s family believed for the last 25 years he was a real police officer. The couple have two daughters, aged 23 and 19.

The arrest came after officers found photos of Mr Phumipat wearing a police uniform on his Facebook page.

He also claimed to be a former classmate of several senior officers at the police academy.

Pol Maj Gen Pakorn said Mr Phumipat would sell expensive amulets, claiming they were made with the support of the Royal Thai Police.

Police will extend their investigation to find out if he broke the law to pay for several luxury cars and other expensive assets.

Mr Phumipat told police he has not deceived anyone.