Reward posted for suspected killer of three policemen

CRIME

Reward posted for suspected killer of three policemen

SUNTHORN PONGPAO & PONGKAN CHONGCHAIHAN

A 200,000-baht reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of a man accused of killing three policemen on duty in Bang Pahan district of Ayutthaya on New Year's Eve. The suspect, identified as 22-year-old Akkharapol Sampao, also known by the alias Bank, is accused of killing Pol L/C Sila Waen-ngern, 25, Pol Sgt-Maj Preeda Joijutha, 35, and Pol Snr Sgt-Maj Kosin Manprom, all from the same police station in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district. He is also wanted on a number of other charges.

Rachata Yensuang, Provincial Police Region 1 commissioner, said a 200,000-baht cash reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of Mr Akkharapol.

The reward, however, is only valid until tomorrow. when royally-sponsored bathing ritse for the slain policemen will be held, the commissioner said.

The three officers and a security volunteer went to a two-storey house owned by Mr Akkharapol's aunt on Suan Prik-Asia road in tambon Ban Khayai, Bang Pahan district, on Monday with a warrant for his arrest.

Police had been told that he was celebrating the New Year holiday there with friends and relatives. The policemen produced a court warrant and moved to arrest him but were met with a hail of gunfire, police said.

The three officers died. The volunteer was unhurt.

Mr Akkharapol fled.

Police said Anupol Yancharoon told police that after the shootout he drove the suspect, who had two pistols with him, from his aunt's house to Ayutthaya's Nakhon Luang district.

At first, Mr Akkharapol asked to be driven to neighbouring Ang Thong province but Mr Anupol said he refused.

Pol Lt-Gen Rachata said Mr Anupol would be treated as a key witness as he had provided useful information.

Meanwhile, a former police sergeant wanted for a string of crimes was yesterday shot dead by police in Nonthaburi province.

Sumit, or Chartnarong, Prajongset, 40, who formerly worked at Thung Song Hong police station, was killed at a petrol station in Pak Kret district after he resisted arrest, police said.

Chartnarong was believed to be involved in a series of crimes, including murder, and was on a police list of most-wanted hitmen, said deputy national police chief Pol Gen Thani Somboonsap.

On Oct 4 this year, he was believed to have shot and seriously wounded Pannee Ouaycharoen, owner of a vintage motorcycle shop in Bangkok's Makkasan area.

He was recently rehired to kill Mrs Pannee, but was killed by police before he could carry out the hit, police said.