Aussie ‘robbed Thai bank to buy ticket home’
BANGKOK, AP
October 20, 2015, 1:10 am
An Australian has been arrested in Bangkok after he allegedly robbed a bank. Photo: 91 TrafficPro
A 23-year-old Australian man has been arrested in Bangkok after allegedly robbing a bank using a fake gun and wearing a mask before being caught soon after by local police.
The man, named in Thai media as Zachary Cronin, an ice cream shop assistant, is said to have robbed the Thai bank in suburban Bangkok soon after the branch opened for business on Monday.
Thai police said Mr Cronin, a tourist visiting Thailand, rushed into the bank shouting “Money” while wearing a Guy Fawkes mask and carrying a fake gun.
Tellers handed over 170,000 baht ($6600) before he fled.
Reports say he took less than a minute to rob the bank.
Thai police said Mr Cronin, a tourist visiting Thailand, rushed into the bank shouting “Money” while wearing a Guy Fawkes mask and carrying a fake gun. Photo: AP
But a local police officer already in the branch together with the banks’ security guard gave chase, with Mr Cronin arrested by local police near the bank.
Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Lt-Gen Sanit Mahathaworn told local radio Mr Cronin was a tourist and had been living in Thailand for a month but had run out of money.
Lt-Gen Sanit said Mr Cronin told officers he robbed the bank in order to purchase an air ticket back to Australia.
Mr Cronin has been charged with robbery and faces up to 10 years jail.
The Australian Embassy in Bangkok had been notified of the case.
There was no immediate comment from DFAT on the case.
Thai police say Mr Cronin’s case is expected to go before the courts by December.
He will initially be held in Thai police custody, then transferred to the main prison following a remand hearing in the coming days.
No date has been set for the hearing.
