SURAT THANI, THAILAND – A 35-year-old Danish man was arrested after allegedly stealing a safe containing property documents worth about 100 million baht.
Arrest at Krabi pier after attempted departure
The suspect, identified as Nicklas Yunus Verlis, was detained on Monday at Kongka Pier in Krabi’s Muang district. According to police, he was attempting to leave the country when officers apprehended him. The arrest followed a complaint by a Chinese businessman on Koh Samui, who reported to Bo Phut police that a safe had been stolen from his home.
High-value property documents recovered
Officers said they recovered all documents that had been taken from the safe at the time of the arrest. According to police, the contents included 11 original land title deeds as well as seven original house registration certificates and seven villa permits. The related plots and construction projects on Koh Samui were estimated to have a combined value of about 100 million baht.
Burglary route and disposal of the safe
Verlis was taken to Bo Phut police station on Koh Samui, questioned, and charged with theft and fencing. Investigators said he confessed after the interrogation. He allegedly broke into the businessman’s residence on Sunday in Soi Khao Phra in Bo Phut subdistrict, removed the entire safe, loaded it onto a rented motorcycle and transported it to a hotel in Ang Thong subdistrict.
Safe found near beach after being emptied
At the hotel, he reportedly opened the safe, kept the documents and later discarded the empty metal box under pine trees by a roadside near the beach close to the hotel.
“The safe was later found by officers at the location described,”
said Pol Lt Col Panumas Chookua, an investigator at Bo Phut station.
Flight to Bali and doubts over suspect’s account
The investigation established that the Dane had booked a flight from Krabi airport to Bali. He allegedly also tried to surrender his passport at the airport and had recently travelled around Samui and Koh Phangan using only a copy of his passport. However, investigators questioned his initial account.
“The suspect gave contradictory statements,”
said Pol Lt Col Panumas. Police continued to examine a possible motive, as no connection had so far been identified between the Danish suspect and the Chinese victim.
Entry to Thailand and ongoing inquiries
Border records showed that Verlis had entered Thailand on 30 December via Krabi airport on a tourist visa valid until 27 February. After arriving, he travelled to the islands of Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan before the theft took place. Police said inquiries into the background of the case and any possible additional accomplices were ongoing.