POV. BYSTRICA
Masked robbers tried to steal more than 15 million Sk ($406,000) on January 19 in Považská Bystrica. When an armoured truck left the safe of the local branch of VÚB bank, it was blocked by a black BMW with eight armed and masked men, who jumped out of the car and disarmed the truck. Then the robbers opened the truck and took out a sack which was supposed to contain the transported money.
Simultaneously, another car, believed to be a brightly coloured Audi 4, blocked the route of the accompanying police car.
The criminals pointed their pistols and automatic guns at the passengers of both cars and paralysed the accompanying police car with tear gas. The whole robbery lasted barely 20 seconds. Subsequently, the criminals jumped into their cars and left the scene of the crime. Afterwards, one of the criminals in the Audi managed to snatch a 7.65 mm calibre CZ70 gun from a security guard at the rear of the VÚB branch.
No injuries nor financial losses were reported since the criminals took a sack containing documents which were to be destroyed, instead of the money.
"The robbery was prepared by professionals and was similar to a 1998 robbery at the Slovenská Sporiteľna in Prievidza. Therefore, the police believe that both crimes could be related," said the Trenčín regional police department spokesperson.
