Follow-up With Attempted Kidnapping Of Norwegian Millionaire

Following the arrest of the 5 men that had pretended to be police officers when trying to kidnap Norwegian real-estate millionaire Mr. Svein Tore Holtekjoelen in Pattaya, on the early Saturday morning. The 5 criminals were interrogated and confessed that there was a third party involved in the crime. 


According to the 5 men that had pretended to be police officers when trying to kidnap Norwegian real-estate millionaire Mr. Svein Tore Holtekjoelen, 53,  owner of several condo properties in pattaya. Mr Holtekjoelen was on his way back home on a Baht bus. When the attack of the 5 kidnappers failed and ended up in a car accident. In an attempt to flee, for the victim, Mr. Holtekjoelen fought back and shouted for help, the 5 criminals drove off until they crashed with another Baht bus. After the crash the 5 had further tried to run, but the police were able to catch and arrest them.

On the 26th December, at 5pm, Police Lieutenant General Chatchai Srisuwan, announced that all 5 criminals were interrogated and they all finally confessed that there was a third party involved in the crime.


The 5 criminals were hired by Mr.Aphichat (Tai) Chaanprakon, 37, who is residing at 18 Bangkradi 1 crossing 9-2 Samae-dum, Bangkhuntien, Bangkok, to kidnap Mr. Holtekjoelen. Gathering evidence, police officials received an arrest warrant from pattaya provincial court, number 1152/2553, on the 26th December, and sent an investigation team to arrest Mr.Aphichat.


Mr. Holtekjoelen’s ex-wife, had also been a suspect in this case, but investigations suggested that she had nothing to do with the crime, as during the divorce there had been no problems, and payments to the ex-wife are being made on a regular basis.


The Police Major General Wisarut Songhong announced that the focus point of the investigations would be the arrest of contractor Mr. Aphiphat, as the 5 captured all confessed that they had been hired by Mr.Aphiphat to kidnap Mr.Hotlekjoelen for ransom. The 5 hired men were to be paid a sum of 50,000 baht altogether, and had already received 5,000 baht in advance.


Apparently, on the 20th December Mr.Aphiphat had arranged a meeting with his ‘kidnapping team’ in order to study the streets of pattaya and planned the ransom. The 5 suspects had travelled from Buriram to Pattaya and stayed at the Spa hut Hotel, Soi Bua Khao, Pattaya klang. 


Major Police General Wisarut further announced that the actual number of criminals involved in this case was 7 people; 2 of which were on the Baht bus and 4 who were in the blue Toyota car. The leader, Mr. Aphiphat (Tai) was hiding in another car (license plate number unknown)  watching the whole process. One of the criminals on the Baht bus, named Nut, aged about 40-45, did the job of ringing the bell which signaled the Baht bus to stop, in order for the other criminals in the car to follow, and later on pretending to be police and apprehended Mr. Holtekjoelen.


The missing criminal is Mr.Nut, who after ringing the Baht bus’s bell, got off and disappeared without a trace.


The police said, the reason as to why the group of criminals operation didn’t success was because there were too many witnesses at the scene, and while trying to escape they got caught. In conclusion, there are 7 people found guilty of the case.


However, the police are still looking for Mr. Nut and Mr.Aphiphat and possibly more criminals involved.



 

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