NONTHABURI, THAILAND – A 73-year-old woman was brutally attacked outside her home on Saturday morning, but quick-thinking women pursued the thief after he snatched her gold necklace.
Mother was ready to give alms
It was shortly after 7 a.m. when Mrs. Cheng stepped outside her house in the Bang Rak Phatthana housing estate. She intended to give alms to Buddhist monks, a quiet morning ritual. A man on a red motorcycle had already passed her house multiple times.
The stranger stopped, approached the senior citizen, and attempted to engage her in conversation. Mrs. Cheng did not recognize him. Seconds later, he attacked.
Chain robbery ends with a fall and injury
The perpetrator snatched a three baht gold chain from the 73-year-old, valued at approximately 90,000 Baht. The woman fell to the ground. The robber attempted to flee to his motorcycle.
However, the victim’s daughter noticed the attack. Her loud cry for help roused two other women from their morning routine.
Two witnesses on a moped intervene
Pichathorn, 29, and her mother were on their way to buy food. “At first, I thought the man was helping her,” she later stated. She then heard the daughter’s screams: a thief had stolen gold.
Pichathorn did not hesitate. She tried to grab the suspect by his shirt to stop him. The motorcycle tipped over, and the perpetrator tried to escape. Shortly thereafter, the man pulled out a knife and threatened the women to clear his path.
Knife threat stops courageous women
But the situation rapidly escalated. The man reached into his clothing and produced a knife. He threatened to kill the women. Pichathorn’s mother called out to her daughter to retreat immediately.
“My mother told us to retreat immediately,” the 29-year-old recounted. The three women withdrew to safety. The robber seized this opportunity.
Perpetrator flees with stolen chain
The assailant righted his motorcycle and sped off. With the valuable gold chain in hand, he fled the scene. The women were left shocked but unharmed.
Mrs. Cheng suffered injuries from the fall and the violent snatching of the necklace. Her daughter promptly took her to Bang Bua Thong Hospital.
Blood traces, a shoe, and an umbrella
In the morning, officers from the Bang Bua Thong Police Station secured the evidence. A lost shoe and an umbrella lay outside the house, indicating the fierce struggle.
Investigators took the statements of the three women and began the pursuit of the fugitive. It is known that the unknown man is sturdily built and between 165 and 170 centimeters tall.
Perpetrator circled the house multiple times
The daughter explained to the police that the man had driven around the house several times before the incident. He was apparently looking for the opportune moment to approach the senior citizen and then strike. Her mother had never seen him before.
The family is deeply concerned for their safety and urges the police to identify and apprehend the robber as quickly as possible.
Police are now reviewing surveillance videos
Officers are examining footage from cameras in the housing estate. The red motorcycle and the man’s strong physique could provide crucial clues to his identity. Evidence collection is underway at full speed. The police are reviewing surveillance videos and collecting further evidence to identify and apprehend the perpetrator.