Robbers run away with Rp 247 million

BANDUNG (JP): Two robbers escaped with Rp 247 million (US$105,000) in a daring daylight robbery here yesterday.

The victims were three Bank of Tokyo employees who had just withdrawn cash from Bank Indonesia, a few kilometers from the crime scene.

Eye witnesses said a robber, coming from nowhere, tried to snatch the bag from one of the bank employees, Herman, as he climbed out of a white Toyota Corona sedan at the Bank of Tokyo basement parking lot.

The gunman fired a shot when Herman tried to resist the snatch, wounding Herman's fingers. The robber ran out of the basement toward an accomplice who was waiting on a motorcycle with the engine running.

A bank security guard who tried to stop the criminals froze when threatened with the pistol.

The incident happened at about 12.30 p.m. when employees were having lunch. It is believed the robbers were waiting at the car park.

"The robber was well-built, wearing dark trousers and a gray shirt," an eyewitness said. His face was not clearly visible because he wore a helmet... his eyes were narrow."

Lt. Col. Edmond Ilyas, Bandung police chief, said the authorities had found the cartridge the robber fired to unnerve the bank employees. (21/pan)