2005-04-25
April 25
On April 25, 2005, Ma Thein (42) was brutally murdered in front of several small children inside her residence on the 2000 block of Dahlia. The children who witnessed the crime called 911.
Robbery was considered as a motive. A possible suspect was developed, but there was insufficient evidence to make an arrest.
Christy Craft, an APD civilian employee who enters and checks pawnshop records, was able to locate where the suspect, Thein Naing, had pawned the reportedly stolen jewelry belonging to Ma Naing within hours of murder.
An arrest warrant charging murder was issued for Thein Naing and he was arrested hiding in the back seat of a car.
Naing was also said to have burglarized several homes in Amarillo's Burmese community.
Ma Thein and Naing Thein had immigrated to the United States from Burma and had arrived in Amarillo at about the same time.
Christy Craft was issued a Departmental Citation for her assistance in clearing this case.
An interpreter with the Catholic Family Services was used extensively during the investigation of this case due to a language barrier and he was later received the Amarillo Police Department Citizens Recognition Award for his assistance.
July 26, 2006
28 year-old Thein Naing pleaded guilty in the stabbing death of 42 year-old Ma Thein.
Naing, who was sentenced to life, will have to serve 30 years before he's eligible for parole.