Thursday, May 7, 2009

Gunmen loot jewellery store in central Burma, kill one

 
by May Kyaw
Thursday, 07 May 2009 16:23


Chiang Mai - One person was killed and two injured after three armed gunmen broke into a jewellery shop in the Yameathin town market in central Burma and looted gold ornaments on Wednesday. The gunmen fired eleven rounds.

The three robbers, who came on motorbikes, burst into the jewelry shop at about 3:45 p.m. (local time) on Wednesday and began firing. They looted about 11 kilograms of gold.

The firing killed one man and injured another two from the shop.

A family member of the jewellery shop owner said, the gunmen barged into the shop, located at the corner of Yameathinn Market and broke the shop’s showcases and took all the jewellery.

At the time of the robbery, there were three women – Myint Myint Aye, Cho Pyone, and Phaung Phaung – in the shop. And when Cho Pyone charged at the gunman, she was shot in the thigh. Myo Thant, who is a relative, rushed to her but he was shot by the gunman on his right shoulder.

Family members said, the robbers took 300 gold necklaces and bangles and fled on motorbikes.

The armed robbers ran out of gas and snatched a motorbike. When the owner of the bike, an ex-serviceman, tried to stop them, the robbers shot him. He died instantly.

Family members said, Cho Pyone has been taken to Mandalay hospital, while the relative Myo Thant was moved to Yameathinn hospital.

A local, who did not want to reveal his identity, told Mizzima, “The gun seemed to be a carbine. They had only one gun. Rumors are spreading that the gun was one of those that was stolen from the army in Yezagyo.”

Following the incident, chairman of the Yameathinn township peace and development council along with township police arrived at the spot.

The gold shop known as “Daw Aye Kyi and Sons” is located in the Yameathinn market and is run by women.

“In my life time, I have never seen such a daring robbery,” a 50 year old local man told Mizzima.