You’ve probably heard of career criminals, but this Malaysian man took it to a whole new level, as it involves gold heists, fake identities, and a dark past that spans two countries.
The suspect, Yee Boon Long, a 61-year-old Malaysian, was reportedly arrested on Wednesday (Apr 9) at Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal while trying to lay low after robbing a gold shop in Hat Yai.
Police found him carrying 69 gold necklaces, a gun, and ammunition as he was getting off a bus from Hat Yai to Bangkok.
Not his first rodeo
According to the Nation, he robbed another gold shop in Hat Yai back in 2017, got caught, was sentenced to six years in prison, and was released just 18 months ago.
His most recent robbery took place around 11.55 am on Tuesday (8 Apr) at the Thai Udom 2 gold shop, located on Montri 1 Road in the heart of Hat Yai.
In the video clip circulating on X, the masked and gun-wielding man stormed into the shop, frightening off the staff before grabbing gold jewelry from the display cabinets.
Watch the video here.
He placed the loot in a shopping bag, walked out casually, and made his getaway on a motorcycle, which he later abandoned about 300 metres away, according to Bangkok Post.
Different identities across borders
Thai police wasted no time issuing an arrest warrant, and Region 9 Police Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Piyawat Chaloemsri even placed a 100,000-baht bounty on his capture, describing Yee as an extremely dangerous individual with a long list of past crimes.
Authorities soon discovered this was no ordinary thief.
Yee had reportedly fled Malaysia 20 years ago after robbing a gold shop in Butterworth, Penang, where he allegedly got away with approximately RM6.5 million worth of gold.
Since then, he’s been living under the radar in Thailand, using a fake Thai ID he bought for 250,000 baht, assuming the identity of “Anucha Saeyeoh,” a supposed hill tribe resident. He even carried forged documents, including a fake driver’s licence and health card.
Ex-hitman
But the most shocking part? Yee is suspected of being a former contract killer, allegedly responsible for the deaths of at least 12 people, 10 in Malaysia and 2 in Thailand.
On 22 May 2014, he shot and killed two Thai brothers, Montree and Srirat Saekung, in Songkhla’s Muang district after a personal conflict, according to the Nation.
Now, Yee is being escorted back to Songkhla to face prosecution.
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