Family members of gold thieves arrested in central Burma

by May Kyaw
Thursday, 23 July 2009 20:05

Chiang Mai (mizzima) – Ten family members of the robbers, who looted about 7 viss of gold from a jewellery shop in Yamea Thinn town, in early May have been detained by the police in central Burma’s Mandalay division sources said.

Family members of the “Daw Aye Kyi & Nieces Gold Shop” in Yamea Thinn town said the police have arrested family members of the robbers, on charges of conspiring with criminals and concealing information about the robbery. They are currently in custody in Yamea Thinn prison.

“Those arrested are family members, such as cousins and wives of the three robbers. They are currently being held at Yamea Thinn prison on judicial remand. The total number of accused in the case is now 17,” Myo Thein, a family member of the gold shop owner, told Mizzima.

Earlier police arrested a former soldier Nyi Nyi Naing, Ko Lay a.k.a. Moe Win and Khin Maung Htwe a.k.a. Japu in connection with the gold-shop robbery but others who were suspected of being connected with the incident were later arrested based on the statements given by witnesses.

While over 100 witnesses have testified in the case to the police, the three main accused and their family members are yet to be interrogated.

The former soldier Nyi Nyi Naing has been sentenced to five years in prison on charges of breaking in and stealing from the ammunition depot of Yesagyow based LIB 256 at Magwe Division on May 4, and also for escaping from the prison labour camp.

The state-run newspaper, the ‘New Light of Myanmar’ on May 15 reported that some of the guns used in robbing the Gold-shop in Yamea Thinn were stolen from the Yesagyow based LIB 256 of Magwe Division.

On May 6, three armed men looted about 7 viss of gold from a jewellery shop in Yamea Thinn town. After the police caught three suspects, and scores of others believed to be connected with the robbery, family members said they have recovered about 3 viss 60 ticals of gold. They do not, however, hope that they will recover the remaining gold.