Robbers threaten to burn down bank, make off with RM50,000

GEORGE TOWN: Two parang-wielding men threw three plastic bags and a bottle filled with petrol into a bank in Sungai Dua and threatened to burn it down, before making off with about RM50,000 in cash on Thursday.

The men, wearing crash helmets, masks and sunglasses stormed into the bank and threatened customers and staff not to raise the alarm, while an accomplice waited outside the bank premises on a motorcycle.

George Town OCPD Asst Comm Mior Faridalatrash said that the incident happened at 2.45pm and was over within five minutes.

"One of the robbers told the customers and staff to gather on one side of the bank while the other went to the counter and told staff to fill a bag with cash," he said.

Another attempted to lock the bank's main entrance with a motorcycle chain, but failed.

He added that the suspects fled on motorcycles.

ACP Mior Faridalatrash said no one was injured during the robbery except for the bank's security guard, who slipped on a pool of petrol on the floor while attempting to pursuit the robbers.

"We will study the CCTV footages from the robbery scene," he said.

He added that the case was being investigated under Section 395 and 397 of the Penal Code for gang robbery and robbery with an attempt to cause grievous hurt respectively.