BANGKOK, Thailand – A 29-year-old American man has been arrested after a police officer was seriously injured in the neck while intervening in an alleged theft at a convenience store in Bangkok’s Suea Pa district on August 22, with the suspect detained in less than 30 minutes following the attack. Police identified the suspect as Alexander Troy Lopez, a US national, who faces initial charges of attempted murder of an officer on duty and an offence relating to robbery.

Angry Cambodians attack police after riot with Thais

Police at Plap Phla Chai 2 station were alerted to an alleged theft at a convenience store on Phadung Dao Road, and Lieutenant Prasarn Somkhanay, deputy traffic inspector at Phra Ratchawang police station, was patrolling the area by motorcycle when he came across the reported crime, becoming the first officer to intervene after members of the public had alerted authorities and attempted to follow the suspect.

During the intervention, police said the foreign man used a yellow box cutter to slash the officer in the neck as he approached on his motorcycle, causing a deep wound, before the suspect ran towards Suea Pa Plaza.

Members of the public and officers assisted the injured officer before he was taken to Klang Hospital, where he remains under treatment but is now in a safe condition, police said. Metropolitan Police Division 6 brought together detectives, patrol officers, and traffic police to trace the escape route, with investigators from Plap Phla Chai 1 police station questioning people in the area and receiving information that the suspect had been seen walking towards the Suan Mali junction.

A 29-year-old American man was arrested after slashing a Bangkok police officer’s throat with a box cutter while fleeing a theft at a convenience store in the Suea Pa area pic.twitter.com/W4JYymmeHY

— Khaosod English (@KhaosodEnglish) August 22, 2026

Police searched the surrounding area and found him hiding at a temporary shelter beside the road, taking him into custody and seizing a yellow box cutter believed to have been used in the attack.

Lopez was taken to Plap Phla Chai 1 police station for questioning, where police said his initial responses were confused and he was not fully cooperative, leading officers to assess that he might be intoxicated, with Tourist Police interpreters called to help communicate with him.

Arab Suspects Sought After Brutal Assault On Motorcycle Taxi Rider In Pattaya Over Parking Dispute

A preliminary urine test found methamphetamine in his system, police said, and officers took Lopez to Police General Hospital for a medical examination, blood testing, and confirmation by doctors before deciding whether to add drug-related charges. Police are also checking his background, immigration status, and evidence from the scene, including witness accounts and CCTV footage, as the investigation continues.

-Thailand News (TN)