13 suspects held over Myanmar gold robbery

Thirteen people have been arrested in Myanmar’s Mandalay region following two gold shop robberies that shocked local communities, police confirmed this week. The suspects include ten men and three women, with officers seizing jewellery, cash and weapons during the raids.

The first incident took place on 20 July, when six men targeted the Millionaire Gold Shop in Chanmyathazi township. Five alleged accomplices were later detained, bringing the total to eleven suspects linked to that case. Police recovered more than 42 ticals of gold – around 0.7 kilograms – along with a pistol, ammunition, motorcycles and other equipment.

Investigators then discovered that three of those arrested had also been involved in an earlier robbery at the Paw Oo Gold Shop in Mahaaungmyay township on 30 October last year. This led to the capture of two additional suspects believed to have collaborated in that attack.

Legal proceedings are now under way against all thirteen individuals, while authorities continue efforts to track down others still at large. The swift arrests highlight the scale of organised crime targeting gold traders in Mandalay, where shops remain vulnerable to heavily armed gangs.

Police have pledged to maintain pressure on criminal networks, reinforcing patrols and tightening security around jewellery outlets. For residents and business owners, the arrests bring some reassurance, though the hunt for remaining suspects underscores the ongoing threat.

-2026-08-03