Lê Huy Dũng at the office of Đồng Nai Province Police. — VNA/VNS Photo

ĐỒNG NAI — Police in the southern province Đồng Nai started criminal proceedings on Wednesday against a 34-year-old man who robbed a bank in broad daylight robbery last week.

Lê Huy Dũng, originally from the central province of Thanh Hoá, currently residing in Long Thành District of Đồng Nai Province, is currently detained on robbery charges.

Dũng had used a rubber bullet revolver to hold up a Vietcombank branch and steal more than VNĐ900 million (US$38,100) on the afternoon of September 8, 2022, according to reports. The branch is located on Long Đức 3 St., Tam Phước Ward.

The man wore all black, with a mask covering his face and a helmet on his head. There were around 20 staff and customers in the bank when he entered.

After sitting for a while, he approached the counter, revealing a gun which he shot in the air. He then pointed it at a bank employee and forced him to take money from the safe.

The gun used in the robbery. — VNA/VNS Photo

Hearing the gunshot, many customers and employees panicked and ran. A security guard entered the room but was forced back at gunpoint by the suspect.

The robber took bundles of notes and stuffed them into a black plastic bag before running out of the bank, crossing Highway 51 and leaving on a motorbike in the direction of Long Thành District.

By 0:25 am on September 11, Đồng Nai Province Police and units from the Ministry of Public Security apprehended Dũng. They seized the black gun used in the robbery and a motorbike, among other evidence.

Dũng confessed to the police that he was in severe debt and resorted to bank robbery.

To date, the police have recovered over VNĐ700 million from the robber. VNS