Nampong Police Station quickly arrested a 32-year-old man addicted to drugs who was stealing residents' water meters to sell. He claimed unemployment and lack of income. A search of his bag uncovered 7 methamphetamine pills. Police took him into custody on multiple charges. Tags: [crime, drug addiction, theft, police arrest, water meters, methamphetamine, local news, Khon Kaen]
At 10:00 a.m. on 31 Oct 2026 GMT+7, Pol. Col. Chumphon Buachum, Chief of Nampong Police Station, together with Pol. Lt. Col. Thotsaphon Nontakamchan, Deputy Chief of Nampong Police Station's Crime Suppression Unit, Pol. Lt. Col. Nopparat Krongtrai, Patrol Inspector, and other patrol officers jointly arrested Mr. Anek Akkamat, 32, a resident of Nampong Subdistrict, Nampong District, Khon Kaen Province.Tags: [police, arrest, Nampong, Khon Kaen, law enforcement, suspect, local news]
Seized evidence included one gray brass water meter and one blue brass water meter, both inside a black shoulder bag; 7 methamphetamine pills inside a clear plastic tube; and a black-gray Honda Wave 110i motorcycle without license plates.Tags: [evidence, water meters, methamphetamine, motorcycle, seizure, crime tools]
The incident began when Deputy Sgt. Rangsarn Phetwiang and Sgt. Maj. Apichat Namyotha, patrol officers from Nampong Police Station, were riding a motorcycle to patrol their area along the Mittraphap Road between Udon Thani and Khon Kaen. They noticed the suspect dismantling a water meter in front of a house in Village 5, Nampong Subdistrict, Nampong District, Khon Kaen. A motorcycle was parked nearby. Feeling suspicious, the officers stopped to investigate. Upon seeing the police approach, the suspect quickly put down the water meter and tried to flee on his motorcycle but was caught by the officers.Tags: [police patrol, theft in progress, arrest, water meter theft, Khon Kaen, crime prevention]
A search of the black shoulder bag placed in the motorcycle's front basket revealed one gray brass water meter and one blue brass water meter, along with 7 methamphetamine pills inside a clear plastic tube. The officers reported the findings to their superiors and took the suspect to the Nampong Police Station for further investigation.Tags: [search, evidence, methamphetamine, water meters, arrest procedure, police report]
The Chief of Nampong Police Station stated that the suspect, Mr. Anek Akkamat, 32, works as a general laborer and is a drug addict who has been using methamphetamine for a long time. He claimed that due to unemployment and lack of money, he rode his motorcycle around various roads in Nampong Subdistrict to steal residents' water meters.Tags: [suspect profile, drug addiction, unemployment, theft motive, Nampong, police statement]
He would observe water meter locations when residents were absent and then remove the meters to extract copper wire for sale to scrap dealers. So far, he had stolen only two water meters in Villages 8 and 10 of Nampong Subdistrict. Thinking the amount was insufficient for profit, he continued roaming on his motorcycle. When he was caught stealing a water meter in front of a house, patrol police arrived and arrested him. He said the methamphetamine found was left by a friend who would come to use drugs with him.Tags: [theft method, copper wire theft, drug use, arrest details, scrap dealers, local crime]
After interrogation and drug testing, the suspect tested positive for methamphetamine. He was charged with possession of a Category 1 narcotic (methamphetamine) without permission, theft using a vehicle, methamphetamine use in violation of the law, and driving under the influence of a Category 1 narcotic.Tags: [charges, drug possession, theft, drug use, legal action, police investigation]
Authorities will further investigate the source of the methamphetamine and the scrap dealers buying copper wire in Nampong District to register these businesses. If any suspicious person is found bringing copper wire or items suspected to be stolen, the dealers should immediately notify police. Failure to cooperate and purchasing stolen goods will result in prosecution for complicity in theft or receiving stolen property.Tags: [investigation, scrap dealers, stolen goods, police cooperation, crime prevention, legal consequences]