Aussie tourist faces 5-YEARS in Thai jail for THEFT
Australian tourist faces up to five years in Thai jail after allegedly stealing a drone, sunglasses and designer handbags.
Ayden Depp, 38, allegedly stole a $1,400 drone from a gadget shop in Phuket on Boxing Day.
He’s also suspected of stealing $4,800 worth of sunglasses and designer handbags allegedly found by police at his unit following his arrest.
Police said Depp travelled to neighbouring Myanmar following the alleged theft.
An arrest warrant was issued last week and Depp was detained at Phuket International Airport when he returned to Thailand with an extended 30 day visa last Saturday.
Footage has emerged of a handcuffed Depp showing little emotion as he’s questioned by police during a search of his unit.
‘Answer my questions,’ an officer demands.
‘Why?’ the Australian replies.
The footage captures police seized a Parrot drone matching the description of the one allegedly shoplifted, along with luxury brand handbags and sunglasses suspected of being stolen.
It later shows Depp being questioned again by officers at the police station before being charged with shoplifting.
Depp faces up to five years jail in Thailand if he’s found guilty.
Phuket Tourist Police alleged Depp was captured on CCTV at the Central Floresta shopping mall on December 26 leaving the store with the drone without paying it.
Police also claimed Depp allegedly confessed to stealing the drone after he was refused a refund for a faulty electric razor bought previously at the store, Phuket News reported.
Police Major General Krissak Songmoonnak told reporters police found Chanel, Prada and other luxury brand bags they suspect were also allegedly stolen as Depp could not provide receipts.
Depp has been charged with theft of the drone as police continue their investigations into the other suspected items.
‘We have seized those items and we will contact department stores in the area to check if they have missing products,’ Police Major General Songmoonnak told reporters.
He urged any shop owners to report any missing items suspected of being stolen.
Police hope to get the case to court before Depp’s extended visa expires on February 2.
