Russian national Vitalii Kobin is wanted after a lightning raid on a Phuket mall currency exchange. Police say he opened a safe using the correct code, stole 600,000 baht in foreign cash and remains on the run despite overstaying since 2025.
A Russian national accused of executing a meticulously planned, minutes-long burglary at a Phuket shopping mall currency exchange is being hunted across Thailand after police identified him from security footage, obtained a court arrest warrant and discovered he had overstayed his visa since 2025. Investigators allege 47-year-old Vitalii Kobin walked straight to a safe, entered the correct access code, escaped with about 600,000 baht in foreign currency and vanished, triggering a nationwide search as detectives work to unravel how the suspect carried out the audacious theft.
Police in Phuket are hunting a Russian man accused of carrying out a lightning burglary at a shopping mall currency exchange and escaping with foreign cash worth about 600,000 baht.
Detectives have identified the suspect from security footage. An arrest warrant has also been approved. Police believe he remains somewhere in Thailand despite overstaying his permitted stay since 2025.
The suspect has been identified as 47-year-old Russian national Vitalii Kobin. He is wanted on a charge of night-time theft involving the use of a vehicle. That charge covers using a vehicle to facilitate the offence, transport stolen property or evade arrest. Notably, investigators believe he is still moving around Thailand while avoiding capture.
Russian suspect identified after Phuket mall safe theft as police hunt overstayer still in Thailand
The burglary took place on July 19 at a foreign currency exchange shop inside a major department store in Wichit subdistrict of Mueang Phuket district. According to investigators, the thief entered the exchange booth and headed straight for the safe.
He did not search the office. Instead, he immediately entered the correct access code. Seconds later, the safe opened. He removed foreign currency worth about 600,000 baht before making a swift escape. Police said the entire operation took only a few minutes.
Security cameras recorded every stage of the burglary. The footage showed a man wearing a dark blue cap, black-framed glasses and rubber gloves.
He also wore a black long-sleeved jacket with white stripes and black shorts. In addition, he had a moustache and beard. Investigators believe the clothing formed part of a disguise intended to frustrate identification.
Police say the speed of the operation suggested careful preparation. Moreover, investigators believe the suspect knew exactly where the safe was located before entering the office. He walked directly towards it without hesitation.
Security video shows suspect heading straight to safe before rapid 600,000-baht theft and escape
He then entered the code immediately. Police have not disclosed how the access code was obtained. However, detectives believe the burglary had been planned in advance because of its speed and precision.
The investigation was led by officers from Wichit Police Station. Detectives examined security footage, collected forensic evidence and pieced together the suspect’s movements. As part of this work, investigators identified the suspect as Vitalii Kobin. Pol Col Somsak Thongkliang, superintendent of Wichit Police Station, said the evidence was sufficient to seek an arrest warrant. Subsequently, the Phuket Provincial Court approved the warrant on July 27.
Separately, investigators uncovered an immigration offence while examining the suspect’s background. Police found Kobin had overstayed his permitted stay in Thailand since 2025. Nevertheless, officers believe he has not left the country.
Instead, they suspect he continues moving between locations while evading arrest. In response, police have expanded the search and are coordinating with relevant agencies to locate him.
Police widen hunt as visa overstay uncovered while detectives trace suspect across Thailand nationwide
Authorities have not disclosed the breakdown of the stolen currencies. They have confirmed only that the cash was worth about 600,000 baht. Likewise, police have not revealed whether staff were present during the burglary.
They have also withheld details about how the suspect gained access to the exchange office before reaching the safe.
On another front, investigators continue analysing security footage captured before, during and after the burglary. Detectives are also tracing the suspect’s movements across Thailand.
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Meanwhile, police believe Kobin remains somewhere in the country despite the outstanding warrant. The search is continuing as officers work to locate and arrest the Russian suspect. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact investigators immediately.
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