5 robbers arrested: 5 men committed armed robber cases arrested in Mandalay

On December 26, 2024, at 8:50 AM, two men arrived on a motorcycle at the "Dragon Palace" gold and jewelry shop, located at 77th, between 32nd and 33rd streets in the Kinsanamahi Ward, Chan Aye Tharsan Township, Mandalay Region.

The robbers threatened the shop staff with a firearm and stole various gold items (approximately 1.91 visses in weight, worth about 1.050 billion kyats) and around 3 million kyats in banknotes. Following the robbery, security forces took immediate action to identify and apprehend the suspects.

On the morning of December 29, the suspects involved in the robbery, identified as Moe Aung (aka) Aung Moe from Phaung Pyin Township and Kyaw Soe Lwin (aka) Kyaw Gyi (aka) Pyatar from Depeyin Township, were arrested at Room 209 of the Nature Lodge, located between 25th and 53rd streets in Aung Myay Tharsan Township.

During the arrest, police recovered an M-5 pistol, one cartridge, an M-4 A1 carbine, three cartridges, 83 rounds of ammunition, a Click motorcycle, the stolen gold items (around 1.4 visses in weight), and 21.5 million kyats in cash.

Upon further investigation, the arrested suspects revealed the involvement of other individuals. Aung Pyae Sone Lwin and Than Htike Tun (from Puthein Gyi Township) were identified as additional participants in the robbery. They were arrested at their respective residences, where police recovered a CANDA Wave 110 motorcycle, a mini-Oh Wei trishaw, and additional stolen gold items, which had been melted down by Tun Min Lat (aka) Tun Min of Aung Myay Thar San Township, who was also apprehended during this operation.

Further investigations revealed that the suspects had also committed another looting and robbery cases. On December 24, at around 4:00 PM, they used firearms to threaten a Hsin-Phyu-Taw money transfer business in Maha Aung Myay Township, stealing 30 million kyats in cash and a vehicle, a MDY-16/4Q 1196 Ertiga.

It was later discovered that the stolen vehicle was sold to an unidentified man for 15 million kyats. Additional investigation uncovered that Moe Aung (aka) Aung Moe was a deputy leader of a terrorist group of PDF (So-call People's Defense Force) in the Sappyakyine Village and Kyaw Soe Lwin (aka) Kyaw Gyi, (aka) Pyatar was a member of a PDF group in Htaungtan village Depeyin Township, Sagaing Region. It was revealed that the firearms used during the robberies were purchased from a PDF member, Ko Soe Gyi, and the two suspects had been involved in previous robberies in Mandalay, during which they used the stolen money to buy more weapons and ammunition.

The two main suspects, Moe Aung (aka) Aung Moe and Kyaw Soe Lwin (aka) Kyaw Gyi, (aka) Pyatar, in collaboration with Aung Pyae Sone Lwin, Than Htike Tun and Tun Min Lat are confirmed to have committed the robberies at the Dragon Palace gold and jewelry shop and the money transfer business. They were arrested along with the stolen gold items, cash, and firearms. The authorities have confirmed that further legal actions will be taken against the suspects according to the law.