Lm70,000 stolen in armed raid on cash van

Daring robbers made off with about Lm70,000 in an armed hold-up on a cash van at about 9.20 a.m. close to the HSBC head office in Triq is-Sebh, Qormi yesterday.

The cash van had just left the bank and was driving downhill when a Peugeot Partner blocked the road and two hooded, armed thieves alighted and started pumping bullets into the van. Several of the bullets hit the bonnet while one of the attackers started shooting at the window on the driver's side.

Though the cash van's windows and windscreen are bullet proof, the sight of shattered glass and the repeated thud of gunshot must have terrified the driver who, fearing for his life, decided to hand over the cash.

To speed up their escape, an accomplice sat in the Peugeot Partner, and the robbers sped off as soon as they grabbed the booty.

The security van driver tried to trail his assailants, but the cash van proved too slow to catch up with the runaway vehicle and he lost sight of them. The thieves appear to have taken the turning towards Marsa, as the police later found the van abandoned there.

The security van driver kept going all the way to Psaila Street in a bid to catch sight of the robbers, but he gave up having failed to spot them.

Police sources said the Peugeot Partner was stolen about four days ago. Such a type of van seems to be popular among those committing hold-ups and are often used in thefts as they are deemed to be fast and handy to drive.

The sources said it was evident the robbery had been planned by professionals. The spot where the heist took place gave them a speedy escape with alternative routes they could take in case something went wrong.

A number of people were last night being rounded up in a bid to solve the case and trace the stolen cash.