Mr Chapman (standing) is taken into police custody while Mr Barhoumi talks to officers. (Photo by Achadtaya Chuenniran)
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PHUKET– A British tourist has been arrested for allegedly stealing hundreds of dollars in US and Canadian currency from a Tunisian man at Phuket airport on Monday.
The theft was reported to police at about 1pm by 40-year-old Tissam Barhoumi.
The Bangkok Post reported that Mr.Tissam Barhoumi had gone to inquire about an airfare at Thai AirAsia’s sales counter and forgot an envelope there containing US$320 and C$100. He returned to find the envelope gone.
Pol Col Somchai Sanprasert, chief of Tha Chatchai police station, said police checked security-camera footage and a man identified later as Darren Paul Chapman, a 49-year-old British citizen, was caught taking Mr Barhoumi’s money and leaving.
Police later found Mr Chapman checking his baggage for a Bangkok Airways flight to U-Tapao airport, near Pattaya in Chon Buri, and asked to search him.
Mr Chapman reportedly confessed to taking the cash. Pol Col Somchai said authorities found three US$100 banknotes, a US$20 bill and a C$100 note in his possession and charged him with stealing on airport property.