Thai police arrest Chinese duo using signal jammers for car thieves

CHACHOENGSAO — Two Chinese men are committing a cunning theft using a remote signal disruptor at highway restaurants. Police caught them red-handed and discovered a method to extort money from credit cards linked to call center gangs.

Chachoengsao police received several reports of thefts at the Bang Pakong Highway rest area, where cars were broken into and valuables, especially credit cards, were stolen from inside. This caused considerable stress to motorists using this route.

Bang Pakong police in Chachoengsao province worked with the Central Investigation Police to urgently track down the criminals. They found crucial clues from CCTV footage at each crime scene.

The suspects appeared to be Chinese and often used similar crime patterns. They operated as an organised group with a clear division of roles between Mr Zhang, 38, and Mr Zheng, 31.

One of two Chinese men who were being watched at a motorway restaurant. Police later caught them red-handed.

On September 15, they went to observe the suspects at the crime scene and jointly arrested the two Chinese suspects at the parking lot along the highway in Khao Din subdistrict, Bang Pakong district, Chachoengsao province.

The officers, aware of the criminals’ apparent modus operandi, spread out to observe the area. When the two appeared, the police waited until they attempted to break into two cars before revealing themselves and making the arrest.

They then searched their room and found equipment used in the crimes, including 1 remote signal blocker, 3 mobile phones, 1 shoulder bag. They also seized 1 car key and 1 car as evidence.

Police take two Chinese suspects to their home to search for equipment used in the crimes. They discover 1 remote signal blocker, 3 mobile phones and 1 shoulder bag. They also seize 1 car key and 1 car as evidence.

Both were charged with “joint attempted robbery using a vehicle” and “being an alien who enters and stays in the Kingdom without permission.” Zhang denied the charges, while Zheng confessed. They were then handed over to the detectives of the Crime Suppression Division.

The investigation revealed that this gang lurked in parking lots near highway rest stops. When they saw a victim park and were about to get out of their car, the first group of thieves would use a signal blocker to block the signal from the remote control, preventing the car from locking.

Another group would then approach to distract the victim by talking on their phone nearby so that the victim would not notice that their car was unlocked. Once the victim walked away from the car, another group of criminals lying in wait would open the car door and steal the valuables inside.

It was further discovered that a Thai woman, later identified as Ms Ketfa Theeranat, 20, Mr Zheng’s girlfriend, had been in the same car as the suspects before they were dropped off at the rest area along the highway.

An officer also arrests a Thai woman, later identified as Ms Ketfa Theeranat, 20, Mr Zheng’s girlfriend in Bamgkok.

Ketamine was found during a search of Ms. Ketfa Theeranat’s room in an apartment in Rama 9 area. She was also arrested on charges of “possession of psychotropic substances (ketamine) without consent” before being sent to Makkasan police station.

Meanwhile, officials discovered the method used by the suspects to withdraw money from the victims’ credit cards. They used card readers, which are believed to be linked to stores or usage areas abroad. This is consistent with investigative information suggesting that this criminal group may be linked to call center gangs that have stolen money from many networks.

The case will be further investigated to explore these findings further.

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