Ex Soldier Who Was Manager at Security firm in UOB Bank Attempted robbery was desperate to replace missing cash at work

Manager in bungled robbery was desperate to replace missing cash

THE STAR

 

SUNGAI PETANI: Desperation is believed to be the reason for a security firm manager’s bungled lone-wolf attempt to rob a bank.

Kedah CPO Commissioner Datuk Asri Yusoff said the security firm located here lodged a report after the robbery, claiming that about RM120,000 had been misappropriated from its account.

“The firm said more than RM120,000 that was supposed to be collected and sent to a bank by the firm had been misused by the suspect. This led us to believe that the 50-year-old suspect’s desperate act was to replace the missing cash.”

Comm Asri said the hold-up was an “act of a desperado” as it was not well-planned.

“When he couldn’t get the money because the strongroom was not yet open, the suspect tried to flee but a guard on duty tackled him.

“The suspect fired two shots from his Smith & Wesson revolver during the scuffle. One bullet hit the guard on his left hip,” Comm Asri told reporters here yesterday.

Police recovered various components of an M16 rifle, a homemade pump gun and various ammunition from the suspect’s home in Sungai Lalang, Bedong.

“The suspect was a veteran soldier attached with the 10th Brigade based at Kem Terendak in Malacca for 22 years before he retired in 2008,” Comm Asri said.

He said the suspect, who is married with two children, had no previous criminal record.

Comm Asri later visited injured security guard Mohd Jefri Ismail at the Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital where he commended the security guard for his courage.

The botched robbery unfolded at about 8.35am on Wednesday when the suspect brandished a pistol as he stormed into the bank along Jalan Cinta Sayang wearing a crash helmet and a glove on his left hand.

He then ordered Mohd Jefri, who was armed with a shotgun, and another unarmed guard to move to the back of the bank.

Mohd Jefri, however, fought back, and in the struggle, was shot.

His colleague and a bank employee came to his aid and help to subdue the suspect.

The suspect has been remanded and may be charged under Sect 3 of the Firearms Act (Increased Penal­ties) which carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/01/27/manager-in-bungled-robbery-was-desperate-to-replace-missing-cash/#5CiZY5JuExix1k5O.99