People on motorcycles are committing robberies in Yangon’s North Okkalapa Township with most of the incidents happening in Hta Won Bel ward, Nya Ward and Wai Bar Gyi Myothit.

"My young sister’s mobile phone was robbed near the library on Sakawar Road, in Hta Won Bel Ward, at around 6 pm yesterday [26 February]. She does not know who stole her phone. There were six people on three motorcycles. Two people got off a motorcycle and told her to give them her phone. When she refused, one of them slapped her on the cheek. She was threatened with a knife and told that she would be stabbed if she did not give them the phone,” said the victim's brother.

He said that the robbery occurred near a playground where people were playing Chinlone (cane ball).

Six men on two motorcycles also stole a mobile phone from a family on a bicycle and drove off quickly, on Thudhamma Road, near to the heavily guarded Thandar Ward administration office, on 26 February.

"Currently, there are many thefts and robberies in the ward. We can’t notify the ward administration office. It's no use reporting thefts and robberies to the ward administration office. Calling the police is even worse. They do not even dare to leave the police station. We cannot rely on the police,” said a resident.

Another victim said that a few days ago he was walking near Padonemar Sandy Lake in Hta Won Bel Ward, near to where cars were being cleaned, when he received a blow to the back of his head and had his wallet stolen.

“I was hit on the head and fell. I couldn’t get up immediately. There were many people nearby. They all looked blank, nobody shouted or helped me because they were afraid of being called to the court as eyewitnesses, they didn’t help me either,” he said.

There were also reports of a shoulder bag being stolen from the front basket of a bicycle. “I was cycling back from training and the bag was tucked away in the front basket of the bicycle. It was stolen in the middle of the road by two men on a motorcycle…. People next to me chased the robbers, but they weren’t arrested," said the victim.