A Melbourne tourist is facing up to three years in a Thai jail after an alleged shoplifting spree at a Phuket mall. Thai police say Liam Allan Lakeman, 25, stole items from Central Phuket mall on three occasions before being caught.
CCTV footage from November 1 shows Lakeman allegedly taking a football jersey and hiding it under his shirt. As he left the store, the owner confronted him, claiming he was wearing another stolen shirt. Lakeman tried to flee but was arrested by an off-duty police officer.
Arresting officer Lance Corporal Niratsai Charoenkijwattana said he noticed a woman chasing Lakeman and fighting over store items. Lakeman then lifted his shirt, pulled out three shirts allegedly hidden in his pants, and threw them to the floor. A store employee said he had shoplifted from there before.
The stolen items included three football jerseys and a box of Bose wireless headphones taken from another shop. Local police claim Lakeman confessed to stealing to pay off credit card debt, a claim supported by interview footage.
Lakeman faces theft charges carrying a penalty of up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to 6,000 baht (AU$280). The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been contacted for comment.
