Four Colombian gang members arrested over home burglaries in Thailand

A suspected Colombian gang has been arrested over a string of recent robberies in Thailand.

The suspects, identified by police as Fredy Alexander Velasquez Ruiz, 52, Jhon Edwin Suarez Calderon, 47, Andres Felipe Velasquez Pira, 29, and Marco Tulio Pinzon Torneros, 51, reportedly targeted gated communities in Bangkok and nearby towns.

They drove rented vehicles to the housing estates before breaking into the homes, usually in the early evening while the owners were out for work.

Police Lieutenant General Jirasan Kaewsaeng-ek, commissioner of Provincial Police Region 1, said the group were arrested on July 18 through a joint investigation of the Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan police, and the Immigration Bureau.

Three of them were detained at a condominium in Nonthaburi province, while the fourth was caught at a hotel in Pattaya.

Police Lieutenant General Jirasan said: 'The suspects have all denied the charges, but we have obtained evidence pointing to their involvement in the thefts.'

Officers seized from the Colombians three million baht (64,300 GBP) of what are believed to be stolen valuables, including gold rings, necklaces, and watches.

They also found suspected burglary tools like pliers, screwdrivers, as well as the rented motorcycles and clothes worn during the break-ins.

Police said the alleged thieves struck in Chachoengsao on July 7, Nonthaburi on July 8, and Samut Prakan on July 9.

They carried out another break-in in Ayutthaya on July 16, and in two Bangkok districts on July 17.

Police Major General Prapansak Prasarnsuk, commander of the Immigration Bureau's Investigation Division, said investigations found that the Colombians were part of a group of seven people who had entered Thailand's Sa Kaeo province through a 'natural channel' in Cambodia.

Three more people were under investigation to see if they are linked to the gang, he added.

The arrested Colombians were charged with 'conspiracy to commit nighttime burglary, damaging property barriers, and using vehicles in the commission of crimes'.