Metropolitan Police Division 1 assigned Deputy Commander Jor to lead a narcotics unit team from the Metropolitan Police and investigators from Prachachuen Police Station to conduct an undercover operation disguised as a lion dance troupe, capturing Jojo, a drug gang member who was sneaking into unoccupied homes to steal. Recently, he broke into the home of a police commander affiliated with the Metropolitan Police three times in three consecutive days. During the final incident, the victim lay in wait to catch him, but the suspect escaped. Investigators reviewed CCTV footage showing Jojo grinning defiantly at the camera, confident police could not catch him as he had no official identification records. Ultimately, he was caught through the lion dance troupe undercover operation “Jor Jae Catching Thieves” and will celebrate Chinese New Year in jail instead. He has a history of drug offenses and nine theft cases.
At 07:00 on 19 Feb 2026 GMT+7, Pol. Gen. Siam Boonsom, Metropolitan Police Chief, ordered Pol. Maj. Gen. Theeradech Thammasuthi, Deputy Metropolitan Police Chief responsible for narcotics, Pol. Maj. Gen. Chotiwat Luangwilai, Metropolitan Police Narcotics Division Chief, Pol. Maj. Gen. Kiattikul Sonthien, Chief of Metropolitan Police Division 2, Pol. Col. Worapot Rungkrajang, Deputy Narcotics Division Chief, Pol. Col. Sakdidej Kamponanuwong, Chief of Prachachuen Police Station, and other senior officers with their teams to arrest Adisak Thanopas or Jojo, 33, a person without official residence registration. He was wanted under Criminal Court warrant no. J.963/2569 dated 18 Feb 2026 for theft and trespassing. The arrest occurred at Wat Khlong Ta Khlai, Sai Noi Subdistrict, Sai Noi District, Nonthaburi Province at 19:15 on 18 Feb 2026 GMT+7.
On 4 Feb 2026 at 22:00, a police commander from the Metropolitan Police arrived home on Prachachuen Road to find many valuables missing, including numerous amulets, two 12-inch Buddha statues, and other items. Signs of forced entry were evident. The victim reported the burglary to Prachachuen Police Station. Before the report was completed, the suspect returned for a second break-in. Believing the suspect would strike again, the victim planned to catch him personally. On 7 Feb 2026 in the early morning, the suspect returned but fled upon spotting the victim lying in wait. While escaping, he taunted the CCTV by smiling defiantly, mocking the victim before fleeing into the Bor Farang community on Prachachuen Road, Chatuchak District, Bangkok. Across all three incidents, stolen property totaled approximately 2 million baht.
Following the incidents, Pol. Gen. Siam Boonsom ordered Pol. Maj. Gen. Theeradech Thammasuthi and Pol. Col. Sakdidej Kamponanuwong to mobilize investigators from Prachachuen Police Station and the Metropolitan Police Narcotics Unit to inspect and track the suspect within the Bor Farang community. However, the suspect sensed the operation and fled the area narrowly avoiding capture once again.
Investigations revealed the suspect was part of a drug distribution gang and was undocumented, lacking official identity records. The investigative team shifted focus from finding the suspect to identifying stolen goods. After nearly a week, investigators found amulets and identified the seller known as “Jojo,” who frequented temples in Bang Bua Thong District, Nonthaburi Province. The team located the suspect at a temple in the Bang Bua Thong area, but he remained cautious. Upon locking eyes with the investigators, he fled, evading capture more than three times.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Theeradech ordered a carefully crafted undercover operation to approach the suspect without arousing suspicion. On 18 Feb 2026, investigators learned the suspect planned a drug gathering at a temple with friends. The team disguised themselves as a lion dance troupe participating in an annual festival at a prominent temple in Sai Noi Subdistrict, Sai Noi District, Nonthaburi Province to observe and hunt the suspect.
That evening, the team scanned faces at the temple and spotted a man resembling the suspect. This time, they were determined not to let him escape. Playing the role of the lion dance troupe, they gradually approached and surrounded the suspect, finally capturing him. The suspect appeared dazed. He was confirmed as Adisak Thanopas, or Jojo, aged 33, with a criminal record including six drug-related and theft cases, including three break-ins into a police commander's home, totaling nine cases.
Following the arrest, investigators seized several items as evidence and learned that Adisak was undocumented because his family never registered his birth. He has lived a vagrant life since age 11, resorting to petty theft to fund his drug addiction.
Jojo confessed that he ran away from home at 11 due to glue sniffing addiction and resentment towards his mother’s new husband. He grew up in darkness without education and could not apply for jobs due to lack of identity documents. In this case, he broke into the victim’s home three times; during the third time, he stole nothing as the occupant anticipated his arrival. He sold all stolen items cheaply. He attributed his criminal acts to methamphetamine use, taking three pills, which made him paranoid and prone to fleeing. He committed crimes to fund drugs and gambling.
Regarding his smiling at the CCTV, Jojo said it was not mockery but exhaustion from fleeing. He had arranged to meet friends at the temple to use drugs behind it, unaware police were undercover there. He was shocked by the police disguises as a lion dance troupe. After serving his sentence, he asked police to help him obtain official identification, expressing a desire to work legally. He promised that if he reoffended, he would accept any punishment from the police.
Records show Jojo’s criminal history includes nine cases as follows:
1. On 23 Apr 2019, arrested for using category 1 narcotics in Prachachuen Police jurisdiction.
2. On 10 Jun 2019, arrested for using category 1 narcotics in Sai Mai Police jurisdiction.
3. On 13 Jul 2021, involved in burglary in Rattanathibet Police jurisdiction, Nonthaburi.
4. On 9 May 2021, committed nighttime theft in Prachachuen Police jurisdiction.
5. On 7 Jun 2021, committed nighttime theft in Prachachuen Police jurisdiction.
6. On 1 Jan 2025, involved in trespassing in Mueang Nonthaburi Police jurisdiction.
7. On 4 Feb 2026, burglarized a police commander's home in Prachachuen Police jurisdiction.
8. On 5 Feb 2026, broke into the same police commander's home again in Prachachuen Police jurisdiction.
9. On 7 Feb 2026, broke into the same police commander's home for the third time in Prachachuen Police jurisdiction.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Theeradech Thammasuthi, Deputy Metropolitan Police Chief and police spokesperson, stated that this burglar targets homes when owners are absent and urged the public and police to be aware. The suspect is approximately 168 cm tall, with reddish-brown skin and a medium build. Anyone who has encountered him or is investigating related cases should note that his undocumented status has hindered prior investigations and prosecutions. His crimes stem from drug addiction, which causes significant public distress. The Royal Thai Police focus not only on arresting drug users but also on addressing drug problems comprehensively, following policies set by Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet, Deputy Police Chief Pol. Gen. Samran Nualma, and Assistant Police Chief Pol. Lt. Gen. Somprasong Yenthum.
The suspect was handed over to Prachachuen Police for legal proceedings, with further efforts planned to recover stolen property for the victims.