A forestry employee was arrested in Udon Thani after intruders attacked staff and stole 19 phayung logs and two pistols from a forest conservation unit in Sakon Nakhon province on Saturday.

Surachai Achalaboon, director general of the Royal Forestry Department (RFD), said on Tuesday that Sergeant Theptawan Suriyamart of the Srithat forestry unit in Udon Thani was arrested on a warrant issued by the Sakon Nakhon Criminal Court.

The Sixth Forest Management Office in Udon Thani has since dismissed Sergeant Theptawan from service, Mr Surachai said.

He faces charges of complicity in burglary, armed trespass, physical assault or use of violence or threat of use of violence, causing property damage, illegal detention and illegal carrying of firearms in public, the RFD chief said.

At least five men were involved in the robbery at the Warit-Panna Forest Protection Unit in Tambon Kud Takab in Waritchaphum District on the night of November 9.

Three forestry officials were assaulted and tied up. The thieves made off with 19 logs of phayung (Siamese rosewood) worth about 800,000 baht. They also stole two guns.

Police stopped a van on Route 227 towards Waritchaphum in Udon Thani’s Wang Sam Mo district at around 9.15am on Tuesday and arrested Sergeant Theptawan, about 47 kilometers from the crime scene. They confiscated his truck and cell phone.

Sgt Theptawan was later handed over to investigators at Waritchaphum Police Station for legal action.

Wood from protected trees seized from illegal loggers and stored at the Warich-Panna Forest Protection Unit in Sakon Nakhon, where intruders stole 19 phayung (Siamese rosewood) logs and two weapons and attacked three officials at night of November 9. (Photo: Sakon Nakhon) public relations office)

Sakon Nakhon Governor Chusak Rooying, uniform white shirt and local officials at the crime scene, Warich-Panna Forest Protection Unit in Sakon Nakhon, Monday. (Photo: Sakon Nakhon Public Relations Office)