A DRAMATIC incident occurred in Sua Pa area of Bangkok today (Aug. 22) when an American man who later tested positive for consumption of methamphetamine was arrested after stealing from a convenience store then slashing a policeman with a cutter as he was trying to apprehend him, Amarin TV said.
Pol. Lt. Col. Kris Homkhajorn, an investigation officer at Phlapphlachai 2 police station, received a report of an unidentified foreigner stealing from a convenience store on Phadung Dao road so coordinated with patrol officers to investigate.
Meanwhile, Pol. Lt. Prasarn Somkane, a deputy traffic inspector at Phra Ratchawang police station, who was patrolling the area on his motorcycle, passed the scene and witnessed the theft. He immediately intervened after people in the area alerted him and attempted to apprehend the suspect.
However, while he was trying to do so the American man, later identified as Mr. Alexander Troy Lopez, 29, used a cutter he was carrying to slash him in the neck before fleeing towards Suapa Plaza.
Other policemen and good Samaritans quickly rushed to assist Pol. Lt. Prasarn and took him to Central Hospital for treatment.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Chaiyakrit Pho-a, commander of Metropolitan Police Division 6, ordered police officers in nearby areas to track down the suspect. Police investigators at Phlapphlachai 1 police station were tipped off that a suspicious man was seen heading towards Suan Mali roundabout. They then successfully apprehended him and seized the cutter and took him in for questioning.
However, the American man was incoherent and uncooperative with the police team suspecting he was high on drugs, and this later confirmed by a preliminary urine test. They also asked for both English and Spanish speaking Tourist Police to assist in communication.
The suspect was taken to Police Hospital for a medical examination and further drug testing to confirm the presence of either methamphetamine or crystal methamphetamine (Ice) in his system before considering legal action.
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Top and Front Page: The American man being apprehended and the policeman who got wounded. Photos – Amarin TV
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