Police say three men have been arrested for the armed robbery of ¥197 million in cash (about 58 million baht) from two employees of a gems trader in a Bangkok condominium parking lot on Monday night.
It is believed five hooded men were involved in the robbery.
Three suspects were apprehended around 10.30pm on Wednesday at a house in Bangkok, shortly after police found an orange-coloured Ford pickup truck stolen from the victims that the robbers used in their get away.
It was found abandoned on Thian Ruammit Road near the Thailand Cultural Centre in Bangkok’s Huai Kwang district around 9pm on Wednesday.
The holdup at the Ratchada Pavilion condominium on Soi Ratchadapisek 30 in Chankasem area of Chatuchak district occurred around 11.20pm on Monday.
Shortly after the robbery, Pattarit Taerattanachai, 34, executive of G&G Stones Co, filed a complaint with Phahon Yothin that the robbers made off with ¥197.96 million in cash from the sale of jewellery in Japan. Two of his staff, Kitipong Puengyim and JIrapat Pitakkitjawat, were assaulted and the thieves drove away with one of the two vehicles driven by the victims, he said.
National police chief Chakthip Chaijinda led senior police to inspect the abandoned stolen pickup on Wednesday night . Forensic officers collected DNA and fingerprints from the vehicle.
Pol Gen Chakthip said police knew the identities of all five robbers and their whereabouts. Investigators would make a formal application to the court for arrest warrants.
He said the gang had abandoned the pickup around 2am Tuesday, just a couple of hours after the robbery. The stolen cash was not found in the vehicle.
A source said the stolen pickup had Bangkok licence plates and was abandoned on the side of the road under a car cover.
Key evidence found inside included fingerprints on a key card and a key to enter the condominium building where the robbery took place.
A source on the investigation team said the two injured employees were not involved in the robbery. The stolen money had been recovered.
Police were hunting down the two other suspects.