Burglary Number One Crime During Pi Mai Lao

The Vientiane Police Headquarters Office revealed this week that there were 26 cases of crimes committed during the recent long holiday of Pi Mai Lao involving millions of kip.

Before the holiday Police and local security officials had warned the public to be on their guard against opportunist thieves on the streets, vehicle theft and social disorder over Pi Mai Lao and during the period there were 26 cases that occurred in Vientiane with burglary being the major problem while others were bag snatchings, fraud, drug abuse, assault and child sexual abuse.

According to Khouamsangob Daily Newspaper all 26 crimes caused loss and damage of more than 23 million kip, four baht of gold, one stolen car, and 10 stolen motorbikes along with other valuable items.

The police reported that the 16 burglary cases that were reported occurred mainly during the daytime when thieves identified an unoccupied house because the owners had gone away on holiday. The thieves would then break in looking for valuables they could steal. With the vehicles the thieves usually looked for cars and motorbikes parked in quiet places where stealing them was easier.

Some of the thieves worked in teams and travelled around the streets in search of likely targets, especially in isolated areas where there were few people around. Out of the 26 cases police have solved eight so far and arrested 13 suspects.

Source: Vientiane Times