Suspect Seized in $20-Million Theft of Gems From Saudi Arabia Royal Palace
A man has been arrested in the theft of $20 million in jewelry from the royal palace in Saudi Arabia, allegedly stealing it from the bedroom of the prince’s consort, authorities said Friday.
Kriangkrai Tejamoke is accused of taking the jewelry from the palace of Prince Faisal Bin Fahad in Riyadh while working as a cleaner there last year.
The jewelry belonged to the prince’s consort and was kept in three unlocked safes in her bedroom, said Gen. Sawaeng Theerasawat, Thailand’s national police chief. The Saudi Embassy estimated the jewelry was worth about $20 million.
The Saudis want Kriangkrai returned for trial, but Thailand has refused because it has no extradition treaty with Saudi Arabia, Sawaeng said.
Kriangkrai was charged in Thailand with robbery. If convicted, he will face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
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