Crooks chased after stealing customers’ bags
THE expat manager of a Bangkok pub is making a name for himself as a thief-catcher.
Twice recently, Tim Richardson of Molly Malone’s bravely confronted and even chased thieves through city streets in a bid to bring them to justice – and return the stolen goods to their rightful owners.
On the first occasion, the thief had entered the Convent Road pub, found himself a seat, ordered a drink and then sometime later snatched the handbag left on the floor by an unsuspecting pub customer while she was chatting to her companion. By the time the woman realized her bag was missing, the thief had left and disappeared into the night.
Twice recently, Tim Richardson of Molly Malone’s bravely confronted and even chased thieves through city streets in a bid to bring them to justice – and return the stolen goods to their rightful owners.
On the first occasion, the thief had entered the Convent Road pub, found himself a seat, ordered a drink and then sometime later snatched the handbag left on the floor by an unsuspecting pub customer while she was chatting to her companion. By the time the woman realized her bag was missing, the thief had left and disappeared into the night.
Distraught, the lady called Tim who did his best to comfort her over the loss, which included credit cards and money. By the time she got through to her bank to cancel her cards, the thief had already tried to use them in another part of town.
The police were called and shown footage of the incident recorded on the pub’s security cameras. The thief’s face was only partially visible.
Sadly, there was not much the police or Tim could do to help the lady, who reckoned her total loss was in the region of 130,000 baht. And that’s how the situation remained until two weeks later when, in an incredible coincidence, Tim found himself seated next to the thief in a Patpong bar.
“At first I didn’t connect him to the missing bag,” explained New Zealander Tim. “But then I noticed the fellow trying to steal a mobile left on the counter. At that moment, I realized it was the same person we saw on the security camera. And I was determined to nail him.
“I called the lady who had lost the bag and told her to join me so we could identify the thief. I followed the guy out of the bar and on to Suriwongse road, where I confronted him while also shouting to anybody nearby that I had caught a thief.
“He didn’t resist and just sat down on the pavement without saying anything. By now the lady and police had turned up and together we took him to the police station. It was there that I was offered 10,000 baht not to press any charges. I refused, of course.
“Later, in addition to my staff providing eye witness evidence, we produced the security camera footage and although the guy couldn’t be seen clearly, he was wearing the same jacket and carrying exactly the same bag. He was obviously the culprit. When he realized that he was in trouble, he started spitting at me, which I absolutely hated. It was lucky for him were in the police station otherwise I would have belted him.”
Unfortunately the lady didn’t get her belongings back, but the thief, who had no passport, ID or a mobile, has been charged with stealing her property.
In a separate incident, Tim spotted two foreign men as potential troublemakers the moment they entered his pub. And he was right, for the pair were soon heading back out of the door, having stolen a customer’s bag.
Without a thought for his own safety, Tim followed the “Middle Eastern-looking” thieves and shouted for them to stop. They didn’t, of course, and then split up, running in different directions.
Tim went in pursuit of one of the crooks and the ensuing chase took them through several Bangkok streets to the bewilderment of onlookers. Eventually he caught up with the thief, who began to lob rocks at his pursuer. When one hit Tim and damaged his leg, he decided it was time to head back to the safety of the pub.
Later that same night, in another amazing coincidence, Tim came across the pair once more in another part of town. Recognising him, the shocked thieves again fled in different directions, with Tim giving chase. He eventually cornered one of these foreigners in an alley, but decided wisely to back off when the man produced a knife.
Although he was unable to turn these felons over to the police, Tim is nevertheless happy for another reason. “These guys won’t be coming to my pub again, so my customers can breathe a little easier.”
The police were called and shown footage of the incident recorded on the pub’s security cameras. The thief’s face was only partially visible.
Sadly, there was not much the police or Tim could do to help the lady, who reckoned her total loss was in the region of 130,000 baht. And that’s how the situation remained until two weeks later when, in an incredible coincidence, Tim found himself seated next to the thief in a Patpong bar.
“At first I didn’t connect him to the missing bag,” explained New Zealander Tim. “But then I noticed the fellow trying to steal a mobile left on the counter. At that moment, I realized it was the same person we saw on the security camera. And I was determined to nail him.
“I called the lady who had lost the bag and told her to join me so we could identify the thief. I followed the guy out of the bar and on to Suriwongse road, where I confronted him while also shouting to anybody nearby that I had caught a thief.
“He didn’t resist and just sat down on the pavement without saying anything. By now the lady and police had turned up and together we took him to the police station. It was there that I was offered 10,000 baht not to press any charges. I refused, of course.
“Later, in addition to my staff providing eye witness evidence, we produced the security camera footage and although the guy couldn’t be seen clearly, he was wearing the same jacket and carrying exactly the same bag. He was obviously the culprit. When he realized that he was in trouble, he started spitting at me, which I absolutely hated. It was lucky for him were in the police station otherwise I would have belted him.”
Unfortunately the lady didn’t get her belongings back, but the thief, who had no passport, ID or a mobile, has been charged with stealing her property.
In a separate incident, Tim spotted two foreign men as potential troublemakers the moment they entered his pub. And he was right, for the pair were soon heading back out of the door, having stolen a customer’s bag.
Without a thought for his own safety, Tim followed the “Middle Eastern-looking” thieves and shouted for them to stop. They didn’t, of course, and then split up, running in different directions.
Tim went in pursuit of one of the crooks and the ensuing chase took them through several Bangkok streets to the bewilderment of onlookers. Eventually he caught up with the thief, who began to lob rocks at his pursuer. When one hit Tim and damaged his leg, he decided it was time to head back to the safety of the pub.
Later that same night, in another amazing coincidence, Tim came across the pair once more in another part of town. Recognising him, the shocked thieves again fled in different directions, with Tim giving chase. He eventually cornered one of these foreigners in an alley, but decided wisely to back off when the man produced a knife.
Although he was unable to turn these felons over to the police, Tim is nevertheless happy for another reason. “These guys won’t be coming to my pub again, so my customers can breathe a little easier.”
