BANGKOK — Bystanders in Bangkok’s popular Sukhumvit district detained two Tunisian nationals early Sunday after they allegedly snatched a gold necklace from a British tourist, police said.
Officers from the Lumpini station responded to the scene at approximately 6:15 a.m. on Sukhumvit Soi 4. The victim, a 29-year-old British man identified only as Liam, told investigators he had just left a restaurant and was hailing a taxi when two men approached him.
According to police, the suspects attempted to distract the victim by claiming they recognized him. While the tourist was distracted, one of the men allegedly grabbed a gold necklace—valued at approximately 3,575 pounds ($4,830)—and fled into a nearby alley.
The victim’s cries for help prompted nearby “Good Samaritans” to chase the suspects, restraining them until police arrived.
Authorities identified the suspects as Fahdi, 30, and Marwan, 32, both Tunisian citizens. While an initial search of the men yielded no results, police said the suspects later confessed to discarding the jewelry under a street vendor’s pushcart during the pursuit.
Officers recovered the necklace from beneath the cart. Both men have been charged with snatch theft and remain in custody pending further legal proceedings.
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