A woman has been arrested by Kamala police after being accused of stealing luxury jewelry and watches from her employer, Sophia Broussehrad, the owner of Daeng Guest House in Kamala. The theft reportedly occurred earlier this week, with the victim filing a complaint detailing the missing items.
Theft Discovered by Employer
The incident came to light on November 10 when Sophia Broussehrad, who owns both the Daeng Guest House and a beach-front restaurant attached to it, realized that several pieces of jewelry, including two high-end luxury watches, had gone missing from her room. Broussehrad, 33, immediately reported the theft to the Kamala Police Station, which led to a swift investigation.
The suspect, Chanuphon Khetwit, 38, is the manager of the beach-front restaurant, which is owned by Broussehrad. The two women had worked closely together, making the theft all the more shocking. Broussehrad reported that she had kept the stolen items, including diamond rings and luxury watches, in a compartment in her bedroom wardrobe, secured within a jewelry box.
Police Investigation Unfolds
Upon receiving the complaint, Deputy Inspector of Investigations, Police Lieutenant Surasit Wandee, led the team investigating the case. Officers began by tracking a parcel that Chanuphon had sent to her boyfriend in Nakhon Sawan, a region located several hours away from Kamala.
The parcel, which was intercepted at a local post office, was brought to the police station for further examination. When Chanuphon was brought in for questioning on November 13, police instructed her to open the package. Inside, they found a collection of valuable jewelry, including two luxury watches, seven diamond rings, and a pair of diamond earrings. These items were valued at approximately 1 million baht in total.
Stolen Items Identified
The jewelry items recovered from the parcel matched several pieces that Broussehrad had reported stolen. Among the items found in the package were a women’s Rolex watch, a women’s Cartier watch, several diamond rings, and diamond earrings. These were all listed in Broussehrad’s official police complaint. However, there were still additional items from the theft that were not found in the parcel.
According to the official report filed by Broussehrad, the stolen items also included a 2.64-carat diamond ring worth 70,000 baht, a 2.5-carat diamond ring valued at 84,000 baht, a Rolex Datejust 31 wristwatch worth 578,815 baht, and a Cartier Panthere wristwatch priced at 159,000 baht. Other missing items included a gold ring valued at 32,000 baht, a gold bracelet priced at 70,000 baht, a 0.53-carat diamond ring worth 39,800 baht, a 0.48-carat diamond ring valued at 28,900 baht, and a pair of Chanel earrings worth 15,000 baht.
Despite the recovered items, police confirmed that not all the stolen property had been found in the parcel. There were still several valuable pieces unaccounted for, which will likely be pursued in further investigations.
Arrest and Confession
Following the discovery of the jewelry in the parcel, Chanuphon Khetwit was arrested and taken into custody. During questioning, the suspect is said to have admitted to stealing the items, although the reasons behind her actions remain unclear. Police are continuing to investigate whether she acted alone or if others were involved in the theft.
The arrest has shocked both the local community and the employees of Daeng Guest House, where Chanuphon had worked for several years. The theft has raised questions about the safety and security of valuable items within guest houses and the trust placed in employees.
Impact on the Guest House and Community
Sophia Broussehrad, a well-known business owner in the area, expressed her distress over the theft but appreciated the swift action taken by the police. She has assured the public that the guest house would continue to operate normally, despite the unsettling event. As for Chanuphon, her future employment prospects are now uncertain, with many in the local community expressing disappointment over the betrayal of trust.
While the stolen jewelry’s value is significant, the emotional toll of the theft may be even greater for Broussehrad, who placed her trust in a long-time employee. This incident serves as a reminder of the risks that business owners take when placing trust in their employees, as well as the importance of safeguarding personal belongings in shared spaces.
Further Investigation Pending
As of now, the investigation remains ongoing. Police are working to recover the remaining stolen items and to determine whether there were any accomplices involved in the theft. Chanuphon is currently facing charges of theft and could face legal consequences if found guilty.
Local authorities are advising businesses, particularly those operating guest houses or other establishments with valuable property, to review their security measures. The theft highlights potential vulnerabilities in how personal property is protected in such environments, where trust between employers and employees is critical.
Conclusion
The arrest of Chanuphon Khetwit for stealing luxury jewelry from her employer has raised alarm bells about trust, security, and employee conduct within the hospitality industry. With several high-value items still missing, the investigation is ongoing, and further developments are expected. Meanwhile, the community remains shaken by the betrayal, and both business owners and employees are left to consider the broader implications of such actions.
As the case unfolds, it will likely lead to a deeper examination of how businesses can better safeguard their assets and ensure the safety of their personal property from potential theft by those entrusted with their care.
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