Ex-soldier involved in central Burma robbery

by May Kyaw
Saturday, 16 May 2009 01:30

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – A former soldier was involved in the robbery committed in a gold and jewellery shop in Yemethin town, Magwe Division, owned by Daw Aye Kyi and her nieces.

One of three robbers who looted the gold shop on 6 May and fled with about 7 viss (1 viss=3.6 lbs) gold is a 32-year old former soldier Nyi Nyi Naing hailing from Pyaw Bwe. He was arrested on 13 May this from Maw Hit village, Kut Khai Township in northern Shan State.

“Nyi Nyi Naing is a former soldier and from Pyaw Bwe township,” a family member of the gold shop owner told Mizzima.

After robbing the gold shop, he sold 49 ticals of gold in Mandalay and 2 viss of gold in Lashio. He also he gave some gold to his friends living in the villages on his way to Kutkai.

Of the three robbers, the police could nab two local people the day after the crime.

It is learnt that a man called Khaing Zaw Win was also arrested in connection with the robbery. He burgled the Yesagyo based battalion ordnance depot and stole some arms and ammunitions stored in it. The police seized some of these stolen arms and ammunitions from him.

Two arms were seized from the residence of grandparents of the two robbers living in Yemethin and another gun hidden in the woodwork along with two other guns were also seized, a family member of the gold shop owner said.

The two accused Ko Lay a.k.a. Moe Win and Khin Maung Htwe a.k.a. Gyapu were arrested near Yinmarbin village on 7 May and Nyi Nyi Naing was arrested in Kutkai on 13 May. Now all of them are in police custody at Yemethin lockup.

The Yemethin District Peace and Development Council gave back 1 viss 23 ticals of gold to the owners on 11 May month after the crime was committed on 6 May.

In the armed robbery, one person was killed and two injured.