BANGKOK, Sept 22 (TNA) – Police arrested three men suspected as members of a gang involved in a jewel heist over Bt50 millon (US$1.7 million) from a gem fair over the weekend.

Three men from South America — two Mexicans and one Peruvian – were arrested by the Thai authorities, according to Provincial Police Region 1 Commissioner Pol Lt-Gen Chalong Sonjai at a press conference Tuesday.

Posing as customers, the three men entered a booth at the Bangkok Gems Jewelry Fair at Challenger Hall, Impact Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi on Saturday and asked the vendor to open a display case containing nearly 100 items worth over Bt50 million, then distracted her and ran off with the jewels.

Three men arrested as suspects later in Pattaya denied the charges.

(MCOT)