Overview
- Officers in a red-and-gold lion costume closed in during a Lunar New Year fair at a temple in Nonthaburi on Feb. 18 before tackling the suspect.
- The 33-year-old is accused of breaking into a Bangkok police commander's home three times and stealing Buddhist objects, including two 12-inch Buddha statues, worth about 2 million baht.
- Investigators say they traced stolen amulets the suspect sold and had attempted several arrests previously, but he repeatedly escaped.
- Police state the man confessed, citing drug use and gambling as motives, and they note prior convictions for drug offenses and burglary.
- Video of the sting released by Bangkok police has circulated widely, with the lion dance providing a culturally plausible cover at the festival.