Gold shop owner foils armed robbery attempt

Phatthalung, July 26 (TNA) – A daring gold shop owner in Phatthalung province has thwarted an attempted robbery, subduing a would-be thief armed with a fake gun.

CCTV footage from Yaowarat Phatthalung Gold Shop showed a helmeted man, later identified as 28-year-old Worawit Chuduang, entering the store and threatening staff and customers with what appeared to be a firearm.

He then proceeded to smash the glass display case with a hammer, attempting to grab the gold.

However, the shop owner, noticing that the gun was fake, acted swiftly. He jumped on the robber, while his employees restrained the assailant using chairs and their bodies. Police were promptly called to the scene and arrested Worawit.

Upon searching the suspect and his belongings, police found a fake gun, a hammer, an axe, a folding knife, a police baton, and a plastic bottle. Authorities are currently examining the contents of the bottle.

According to the Phatthalung City Police Station, Worawit initially claimed to be a former police officer who had been dismissed from duty in the southern border provinces. Investigations revealed that this was false and that he had fabricated the story. The suspect confessed to committing the robbery due to gambling debts and had been planning the crime for 15 days.

The shop owner, Pathompong Kaohian said he decided to confront the robber because he realized the gun was fake and was determined to protect his property. However, he cautioned others not to underestimate such situations, as the consequences could be severe if the weapon was real.

Police are now investigating the case further and are working to identify the vehicle that dropped Worawit off at the gold shop. -819 (TNA)