Algerian man arrested over pickpocketing of foreign tourists in Pattaya
An Algerian man has been arrested in Pattaya for allegedly pickpocketing two Korean tourists and a Chinese tourist in the seaside city late last month.
Pattaya police chief Pol Colonel Prawit Chorseng held a press conference on Monday to announce the arrest of Toufik Melki, 50, over the weekend.
Prawit said a tourist from South Korea has accused Melki of approaching him on Soi Bua Kao in Central Pattaya on March 28 and stealing 400,000 won (about Bt13,000) from him. The tourist said Melki pretended to know him, wrapped his arm around his shoulder while talking to him amicably – and stole his wallet.
A few days later, a Chinese tourist and a South Korean tourist filed complaints with the police station that they had been pickpocketed by a man matching Melki’s description, with wallets containing about Bt50,000 in cash stolen.
Prawit said police checked security-camera footage and learned Melki’s identity. He was spotted walking on Pattaya II road, apparently looking for new victims, police said.