CCTV captures gang, including a woman holding a toddler, attack Buddhist monk outside his temple

Arabnews24.ca:Thursday 1 December 2022 02:39 PM: A Buddhist monk was attacked and robbed by a gang, which included a woman holding a toddler, outside a temple in Nashville.

The man, who lives at the Wat Lao Buddhist Temple in South Nashville, Tennessee, heard a knock on the door at around 9am local time on Sunday and when he opened it, one of the gang forced his way inside, knocking the monk to the ground.

Another held him to the floor while at least two women went through the temple for several minutes and stole cash.

Police said the group appeared to be made up of four women, one of whom was carrying a toddler, and a man.

Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said that when the suspects started to leave, the monk saw one of the women had a satchel across her body, which he grabbed to try and stop her from leaving.

CCTV footage from outside the temple shows the other suspects ganging up on the monk to help free their accomplice.

A male suspect can be seen putting the monk in a headlock while the other women help take him down to the ground, tearing off part of the monk's garment.

They attack him until the woman breaks free, then all flee in a van.

Police are still searching for the gang and have offered a reward for their capture.

Monks spend a lot of their time devoting themselves to their religious practices, such as prayer, mass, reflection, or meditation.

They dedicate their life to serving other people and the principle of non-violence is central to Buddhism.