Arrest Warrant Issued for German Suspect in Clinic Attacks – Fugitive Flees in Pickup
NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Thailand – Authorities have issued an arrest warrant for a 41-year-old German national accused of assaulting multiple dentists and damaging clinic equipment in Muang district over the past three-and-a-half months.
Fugitive Flees as Police Close In
On Tuesday, the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Court approved a warrant for the suspect, identified only as Heffner, on charges of trespassing, assault, and property damage.
Deputy provincial police chief Pol Col Kachen Setthaputta confirmed that local and immigration police, along with an interpreter, rushed to Heffner’s home in Ban Don Chumpoo, Non Sung district. However, by the time they arrived, the suspect had fled in a dark green Ford Ranger pickup. Police have since launched a manhunt to track him down.
Delayed Action Sparks Public Outcry
The arrest warrant was issued after police faced criticism for failing to act sooner, despite multiple complaints from dentists who reported being attacked by the suspect.
The case first surfaced on November 30, when a female dentist filed a complaint at Jor Hor police station, stating that Heffner had punched through a door to force entry into her clinic before attacking her. Since then, several other dentists have reported similar incidents, with the most recent attack occurring on Friday last week.
Fear has spread among dental professionals, who worry they could be the next victims. The provincial dentists’ society and members of the public have questioned why police did not take action earlier.
Mental Illness Claims and Withdrawn Complaints
A police source revealed that Jor Hor investigators had summoned the suspect twice, but he failed to appear for questioning. Meanwhile, two complaints filed at Muang police station were later withdrawn after the suspect’s Thai wife informed complainants that Heffner suffered from mental illness but had not received treatment.
Authorities are now working to locate and arrest the suspect before he can cause further harm.
