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Thawalama Bank of Ceylon robbed : Police recover money in road chase

by Asanga Warnakulasuriya

Hiniduma Police yesterday recovered the entire loot from a bank heist within hours of the incident by catching one of the suspects following a high speed road chase.

A four member armed gang stormed into the Thawalama Bank of Ceylon branch yesterday and made off with over Rs. 450,000 cash. Hiniduma Police said. The gang armed with two T56 weapons, a locally made pistol and five hand grenades had arrived in a cab at around 9.15 a.m.

They had then overpowered the bank security guard and relieved him of his shotgun, Police said. After entering the Bank the gang had threatened to set fire to the building. They had then forced the manager to part with the money at gunpoint before fleeing. A special team was dispatched by Hiniduma Police to hunt down robbers, Hiniduma Police OIC U.G.Chandradasa said.

The police were met with resistance by the gang who hurled grenades at them. According to the OIC, the cab transporting the gang which was travelling at high speed suddenly went off the road, and was stuck in a drain.

"We managed to apprehend one suspect while the others fled 'the OIC said. The money was also recovered by Police along with the security guard's firearm and two hand grenades" Hiniduma Police said.

The Bomb Disposal Squad was called to defuse the hand grenade left by the suspects at the bank premises.

Hiniduma Police are on the lookout for the remaining suspects.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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