A man on a motorcycle who had been snatching mobile phones from pedestrians and a shop owner who had purchased the stolen phones were arrested along with 15 different mobile phones in Dagon Myothit (North) Township, Yangon, according to reports.

Authorities stated that incidents of mobile phone snatching by individuals riding motorcycles were frequently reported in neighborhoods across Dagon Myothit (North) Township. Acting on information from local residents, security forces launched operations to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

On November 6, at 6:40 PM, a suspect, San Htet Wai, from Shwepaukkan New Town, No. (11) Ward, North Okkalapa Township, was apprehended on Ngu Shwe Wah (5) Road, No. (11) Ward, Dagon Myothit (North), while using a white and blue Bashan motorcycle allegedly involved in the thefts. He was detained for questioning.

During interrogation, it was revealed that on October 8, at 2:30 PM, San Htet Wai had snatched a handbag from a woman walking along Myamyinzu Road in No. (29) Ward, Dagon Myothit (North). The bag contained a TAB 8 Pro tablet, a green Samsung A05s mobile phone, and 100,000 MMK in cash. He reportedly gave the tablet to a child he encountered.

Further investigations revealed that between August and October 2024, San Htet Wai had committed 10 thefts in neighborhoods such as No. (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 38, and 44) Wards, stealing a total of 15 mobile phones from pedestrians while riding a motorcycle.

San Htet Wai admitted that the stolen phones were sold to Min Zin Maung (alias Pa Gyi), the owner of Mobile Point, a phone shop in No. (h) Ward, North Okkalapa Township. Authorities searched the shop and recovered 15 mobile phones, including the stolen Samsung A05s.

Both San Htet Wai, who carried out the thefts, and Min Zin Maung, who purchased the stolen phones, were arrested along with the 15 recovered phones. Legal actions are being taken against them, with separate cases filed for each theft at the Dagon Myothit (North) Township Police Station.