TWO male suspects involved in the robbery of the Shwesin Academy gold shop in Mandalay have been apprehended.
The robbery occurred at 5:30 pm on 18 December 2024 at the Shwesin Academy gold shop located on 77th Street, between 36th and 37th Streets in Mahaaungmyay Township, Mandalay Region. The shop owner Daw Win Win Aye (52) and staff were inside when three masked men arrived on an unregistered motorcycle.
One of the men stayed outside while the other two entered the store, brandishing pistols to threaten the staff. They then took gold items from three plastic boxes containing gold bars, chains and rings weighing approximately 3.55 visses (valued at around K3 billion). The authorities have launched an investigation under Section 392 of the Penal Code, aiming to identify and arrest the perpetrators.
Security forces apprehended one of the suspects involved in the robbery of the Shwesin Academy gold shop in Mandalay and recovered part of the stolen gold.
Authorities traced a Honda CBR 150 (licence plate 36W/96027) motorcycle used in the robbery at a repair shop named “Alinn Yaung” in Chanayethazan Township. The vehicle had been left there by a man seeking to sell it. Security forces conducted surveillance and arrested Phyo Thet Aung (aka) Phyo Lay (25) from Gwaytgyigon Village, Patheingyi Township, at 4:20 pm on 23 December 2024 near the “K-Mandalay” tea shop in Yemon Taung Ward, Mahaaungmyay Township.
During interrogation, Phyo Thet Aung revealed that he had hidden a portion of the stolen gold in his home. Security forces searched his residence and recovered gold items weighing over 62 grammes stored inside an air cooler.
Following the confession of Phyo Thet Aung (aka) Phyo Lay, security forces apprehended another suspect named Zin Myo Htike (aka) Zin Myo (29) from Mawra Giwha Ward, Chanayethazan Township. He was arrested at 2:30 am on 24 December 2024 at his residence.
During the operation, authorities seized a Honda Click motorcycle (SGG-47W/12410) used in the robbery and gold items weighing approximately 24 grammes hidden on the upper floor of his home.
Subsequently, security forces searched the residence of the remaining suspect Aung Myo Thu in Ward 4, Myawady, Kayin State at 10:30 pm on 25 December 2024. Although Aung Myo Thu was not found, investigators discovered gold items weighing 78.5 grammes hidden in the air compressor compartment of a Honda Fit (KYN-47B/5913) used by the offender.
According to confessions from Phyo Thet Aung (aka) Phyo Lay and Zin Myo Htike (aka) Zin Myo, they along with Aung Myo Thu and Win Myat Thu planned and carried out the robbery at the “Shwe Sin Academy” gold shop.
The group convened in Mandalay on 10 December after Phyo Thet Aung and Zin Myo Htike travelled there to meet Aung Myo Thu and Win Myat Thu who were both residing in Myawady. During the meeting, Aung Myo Thu reportedly possessed two pistols which were used in the robbery. The group scouted the vicinity of the gold shop for about seven days by monitoring security and surroundings.
After observing that the gold shop’s security guard had left at 5 pm on 18 December, the suspects proceeded with the robbery. Phyo Thet Aung, Aung Myo Thu and Win Myat Thu approached the shop using a Honda Click motorcycle while Zinn Myo Htike rode a Honda CBR motorcycle to create a distraction by driving noisily around the area.
Aung Myo Thu and Win Myat Thu entered the shop with pistols, accompanied by Phyo Thet Aung. They threatened the shop staff at gunpoint and stole various gold items including necklaces, bracelets, rings and pendants.
The stolen items were divided into portions with Aung Myo Thu and Win Myat Thu taking one share and Phyo Thet Aung and Zin Myo Htike each receiving their share. Instead of weighing the items accurately, they estimated portions based on the size and type of jewellery. Aung Myo Thu had reportedly acquired the pistols from an unidentified individual in Myawady.
The arrested offenders Phyo Thet Aung and Zin Myo Htike are being prosecuted under relevant laws. Security forces are continuing efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects Aung Myo Thu and Win Myat Thu and recover any remaining stolen items.
MNA/KZL
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