Police yesterday arrested a man who allegedly went into a school in Nakhon Si Thammarat armed with a gun, attempting to snatch his child while under the influence of drugs.
The man, identified only as Theerapong, 34, was arrested yesterday morning by Crime Suppression Division (CSD) after police officers were alerted that an armed man went berserk, trying to snatch his 7-year-old son at a school in Ron Phibun district, police said.
Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej, Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), issued the order to have the suspect arrested for fear of a repeat of the massacre on Thursday in the northeastern province of Nong Bua Lam Phu that left 37 dead and 10 others injured.
Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop told the media that CSD police cornered the man. In an attempt to escape, the suspect drove his car into the back of a police vehicle, stopping him in his tracks.
Police then rushed him as he reached for his gun, he said.
Following the suspect’s arrest, police seized 17 meth pills, a 9mm pistol, a .22 rifle with 20 rounds. The suspect was also accompanied by a 33-year-old man, identified as Chaowalit, in his car.
Police said the suspect confessed to swallowing two meth pills. He had a fight with his wife before going to the school with his friend to pick up his son, police said.
The suspect was initially charged with hampering police work, possessing firearms and ammunition and brandishing them in a public place. He was later taken to Ron Phibun police station for further legal proceedings, Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop said.