Three Chinese men thought to be responsible for the theft of a $90,000 diamond in Thailand’s Nonthaburi province were arrested Monday as they tried to cross into Cambodia via the Poipet border checkpoint, according to Thai media and a Cambodian official.
Soem Sam Ath, chief of the immigration police at the checkpoint in Banteay Meanchey province, said the three men had already passed through immigration on the Thai side of the border when they were arrested.
“After they had their passports stamped by Thai immigration police, they walked across the bridge,” he said.
Mr. Sam Ath said the men had entered Cambodian territory, but had not yet passed through immigration when Thai officials told Cambodian authorities that the men were wanted in Thailand.
“Thai and Cambodian immigration police then ran to catch them,” he said, adding that the suspects were then handed over to Thai police.
“Thai immigration police said [the men] had stolen a diamond from a Thai shop,” he said.
Thailand’s The Nation newspaper identified the three men as Liu Huaqing, 36; Chun Youxian, 45; and Xong Huashi, 41.
According to the newspaper, the men were wanted by Thai police for questioning after they allegedly stole a 5.4-karat diamond worth about $92,000 from a jewelry display in Nonthaburi.
