PHUKET, Thailand – A meticulously planned safe heist at a department store currency exchange has cops hunting a Russian man. He opened the safe with the correct code and fled with foreign cash worth around 600,000 baht. A warrant is out for the 47-year-old. Police are searching nationwide.
The burglary went down on July 19 at a store in the Wichit subdistrict. The suspect walked into the currency exchange room and headed straight for the safe.
Without hesitating, he punched in the correct access code, grabbed cash in various foreign currencies, and bolted. Cops say the crime was carefully planned.
CCTV captures every move
Surveillance cameras recorded every phase of the break-in. Investigators identified the suspect from the footage as 47-year-old Russian national Vitalii Kobin.
According to the video, Kobin did not search the office. He went straight to the safe, entered the code, and grabbed the money.
Disguise with glasses, gloves, and striped jacket
The suspect wore a dark blue cap, black-framed glasses, and rubber gloves. He stood out in a black jacket with white stripes paired with black shorts.
Investigators believe the outfit was meant to hide his identity. Kobin also has a mustache and a beard.
Warrant and nationwide manhunt
Wichit Police Station, led by police colonel Somsak Thongkliang, collected forensic evidence and reviewed the video. The Phuket Provincial Court issued an arrest warrant on July 27.
The charge is night theft using a vehicle. That covers the escape and transporting the loot.
Visa overstay since 2025
When checking the suspect, police found another violation. Kobin has been in Thailand without a valid residence permit since 2025.
Still, cops believe he has not left the country. They suspect he is hiding in various locations around Thailand.
Code and access remain a mystery
Police have not revealed how the suspect got the safe code. How he gained entry to the currency exchange office is also unknown.
Cops are staying quiet about whether staff were present during the heist and exactly which foreign currencies were stolen.
Police ask for tips
The hunt for Kobin is ongoing. Officers are coordinating with other agencies and reviewing more security footage.
Police ask the public for information on the suspect’s whereabouts.
said a Wichit police spokesperson.