Bungling Burglar Traps Himself in Gold Shop During Mall Heist
CHIANG MAI, Thailand – A would-be burglar thought he had the perfect plan to rob a gold shop by hiding inside a shopping mall until closing time. Dressed as Ghostface from the Scream movie series, he attempted the heist overnight—only to find himself trapped inside, leading to his swift arrest.
Thief Trapped Overnight in Gold Shop
Police apprehended Aesara (surname withheld), 21, inside the Yaowarat Gold Shop at a Chiang Mai shopping mall along the Chiang Mai-Lampang Superhighway on Tuesday morning. The suspect admitted to spending three days studying the store before attempting what he believed to be a flawless robbery.
Traveling from Na Noi district in Nan province, he entered the mall at 5 PM on Monday and hid inside until the mall closed. Once the coast was clear, he donned a black outfit and a Ghostface mask, hoping to evade security cameras.
Failed Escape Plan Leads to Arrest
Using a metal bar, Aesara forced open the retractable iron gate of the gold shop. To remain undetected, he pulled the gate shut behind him after entering. However, he soon realized his fatal mistake—the gate could not be opened from inside due to its proximity to the display counter.
Panicking, he searched for an escape route at the back of the shop but found none. By morning, staff arriving for work discovered him trapped inside, promptly securing the door with an additional lock and calling the police.
Police Investigation Underway
Pol Col Yannapol Pattanachai, commander of Mae Ping Police Station, confirmed that the suspect had arrived on a motorcycle, which he left at a nearby petrol station before entering the mall. His elaborate plan quickly unraveled when his exit strategy failed.
Aesara now faces serious charges, with police investigating his background and potential links to other crimes.
