Suspects wielding gun-like objects threaten bank staff. — Photo from security camera

GIA LAI — Authorities are hunting two people who stormed the Trà Bá Transaction Office of Vietcombank Gia Lai Branch with gun-like objects, making off with approximately VNĐ1.8 billion (US$68,500).

On Monday evening, the Criminal Investigation Police Agency of Gia Lai Provincial Police issued a preliminary report on the robbery at the Trà Bá Transaction Office of the Việt Nam Foreign Trade Joint Stock Commercial Bank (Vietcombank).

According to the report, at around 4pm that day, two male suspects wearing jackets, green helmets resembling those of Grab drivers and face masks covering their faces pulled up in front of the bank at 133 Trường Chinh Street, Hội Phú Ward.

They arrived on what is thought to be a yellow-and-black Exciter motorcycle with licence plate 77G1-313.12 and carrying a green shoulder bag.

Upon entering the transaction counter area, the two suspects drew black objects suspected to be handguns, shouting loudly: “Stay still, or I'll shoot.”

As they spoke, both threatened bank staff, causing many people to panic and flee from the counters.

The pair then jumped over the counters, grabbed approximately VNĐ1.8 billion, stuffed it into the bag, got back on the motorcycle and fled towards the Hàm Rồng junction.

Security camera footage shows the first suspect, about 40 years old and approximately 1.65m tall, speaking with a northern accent, wearing black trousers a jacket, and a green helmet.

The second suspect, about 30 years old and approximately 1.68m tall, speaking with a southern accent, wearing green canvas trousers and shoes, a turquoise jacket and also a green helmet.

The authorities are urgently deploying professional measures to track down and arrest the two perpetrators. — VNS