HSBC hold-up: Police sift evidence, suspect inside help
The would-be robbers who targeted HSBC Centre in Qormi on Wednesday entered the building through a side entrance which needed an electronic code known only to employees.
The element of surprise was so effective that they managed to disarm a special assignments group policeman -- described by police sources as one of the section's best - who was stationed at the main door of HSBC's Qormi headquarters.
The three men, who were accompanied by at least a fourth manning a getaway car, walked into the building wearing wigs and fake moustaches. They ambushed the officer, removed his issue pistol and tied him and two employees with cable ties.
The knowledge of the electronic code, together with their familiarity with the maze of hallways leading to the centre's control room, have convinced investigators the men were in possession of inside information.
"Anyone who was unfamiliar with the headquarters would probably get lost inside," the sources said.
The robbers were targeting one of the bank's underground vaults, where millions of euro from the branches pour in every day for safekeeping. They managed to reach the control room from where they could open it.
Everything seemed to be going smoothly for the robbers until a neighbour informed the police about suspicious activity going on near the bank at about 7.30 p.m. A patrol car was sent to the area but when it got there a car parked outside HSBC's Windmill Street headquarters sped off, leading officers into a chase.
The three robbers, however, were still inside and in the meantime someone in the building, who the thieves had apparently not accounted for, called for help.
The patrol offers were asked to return to the site but as the two policemen were running up the steps leading to the banking centre they almost came face to face with the robbers. That's when the shootout, likened yesterday to something out of the Wild West, erupted.
The officers were forced to take cover behind some trees, eventually inching their way towards the cars on the street for better protection.
As the shooting went on, a getaway car (different from the first) rushed into the shootout and sped off again with the robbers on board. The police shot at the vehicle but failed to stop it.
Investigators yesterday focused on collecting forensic evidence and interviewing bank employees.
Among the evidence collected was a bottle of fuel which at first was thought to be Molotov cocktail but then turned out to be filled with the less flammable diesel which, more likely, would have been used to hinder a chase by spilling it on the tarmac.
The bottle was found together with a briefcase containing cable ties, a pistol and a wig.
Sources said the holdup follows recent instructions issued by the police to all patrols to keep a close eye on cash points and escort any security vans they come across.
The police are not excluding that Wednesday's job could have been carried out by the same gang that stole a million euro from HSBC's Balzan branch three years ago.
In that incident, hair found attached to a balaclava that was left behind was later found to be synthetic - a clever attempt to deviate investigations. Similarly, in this case the police are suspecting the wig and other items left behind could be decoys.
Investigations are being headed by Inspector Sandra Zammit from the Qormi District Police and Inspector Anthony Portelli from the Criminal Investigation Department.
A magisterial inquiry is being carried out by Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit, assisted by ballistics expert Brigadier Maurice Calleja, architect Richard Aquilina and serologist Marisa Cassar.
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31 Comments
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C Grech
Jul 3rd 2010, 11:23
@ E.Camilleri.
The robbers may have got in the building but rest assured that they still very...very far away from getting their hands on the cash.
Many banks use aluminum entrances which relatively speaking provide no security. However this does not apply to the actual vaults.
C. Grech
Jul 3rd 2010, 01:48
I cannot imagine an insider suggesting robbers to try and break in what is probably the most vaulted place in Malta!!
Eric Camilleri
Jul 3rd 2010, 10:29
It could be the most vaulted place on the island but it also means that it must have had an "Achilles heel" as otherwise the attempt wouldn't have been made and as things turned out only an external and coincidental intervention spoiled their attempt. Compliments to the Police, especially to the two Mobile Squad officers. Prosit for your courage, determination and firearms handling in such a stressful situation. Let us hope the investigations now lead to catching the whole circle, insiders and masterminds. It is now the duty of the Law Courts to keep these criminals locked up away from Society for good. BTW unless HSBC's maintenance team had other things to do, a bullet may have ricochetted onto HSBC's illuminated sign and struck off their "B" !
D.Calascione
Jul 3rd 2010, 12:31
More monitoring and security/safety shall be applied to all Vaults containing huge amounts of money. After all, our money would be stored in the Vaults since the bank makes money out of us.
Charles Micallef
Jul 2nd 2010, 14:22
Everyone has the right to their thoughts, however some of the comments made below are naive and border on the ridiculous, one can always come up with what 'could or should' have been done, however no armchair critic can feel what those who got caught in the middle of this incident had to go through and why they re-acted in the way they did...................
……..to call this attempted hold up daring is an understatement, however HSBC has confirmed to one and all that access to their safes is not as easy as the robbers thought even though it is alleged that an insider assisted with some relevant detail of the layout and access!
Ramon Casha
Jul 2nd 2010, 12:40
"The three robbers, however, were still inside and in the meantime someone in the building, who the thieves had apparently not accounted for, called for help."
Perhaps at this point, the police outside should have called for assistance from other police, rather than "running up the steps leading to the banking centre they almost came face to face with the robbers".
Robert Cefau
Jul 3rd 2010, 17:01
I couldn't agree more. Another example of our very own 'Keystone Cops'!!
Karl Glanville
Jul 4th 2010, 16:48
Imma possibbli li f`dan il-pajjiz kulhadd dejjem irid isib kritika fuq il-pulizija?! Minflok nghidu prosit liz-zewg pulizija li b`kuragg kbir issograw hajjithom biex ma jsirx reat li bhal ohrajn simili dan l-ahhar, qed ikun ta` terrur u theddida ghal kull cittadin f`din il-gzira, nispiccaw nghidu li misshom qaghdu jistennew aktar ghajnuna. Hawnhekk qed nitkellmu fuq cirkostanzi ta` sekondi, massimu ftit minuti. Jew tiehu azzjoni bil-man-power li ghandek dak il-hin jew inkella addio sfrattar ta hold-up. L-objettiv tal-pulizija f`dan il-kaz kien 1: Li ma ssirx is-serqa, u dan irnexxa...2: Li jinqabdu l-kolpevoli...u f`dan ir-rigward nghid li sar dak kollu possibbli. Il-Pulizija issograw hajjithom biex iwaqqfu lil hallelin.
James A. Tyrrell
Jul 2nd 2010, 12:36
I think the neighbour who phoned in the report should receive an award from HSBC. After all he saved them from losing millions. As for the police officers they too should receive some form of recognition for putting their lives on the line in order to uphold law and order. One of the problems today is that too many people choose to look the other way and not get involved. We should be grateful that there are still people like these who care enough to do their bit.
J Farrugia
Jul 3rd 2010, 11:19
Tyrell - the police were just doing their duty. That's what they are being paid for from our taxes. to safeguard life and property. No rewards must be given to anyone for doing what he is in duty bound to do. Otherwise that would tantamount to CORRUPTION which you cry aloud so much with in our country.
Andrew Farrugia
Jul 2nd 2010, 12:10
How about recommending that a certain Joseph Cachia should be awarded Gieh ir Repubblika for his civic sense of duty?
Mark A. Sammut
Jul 2nd 2010, 11:20
Was this an Italian (ie., Sicilian) job?
d. borg
Jul 2nd 2010, 11:18
Scuzi ta, jekk f'kazijiet bhal dawn ma tghajjatx lil pulizija, mela lil min trid tghajjat?? Ma naqawx fir-redikolu issa.
D. Zammit
Jul 2nd 2010, 10:56
@ Mary Pace
You speak that way until your son is involved in an accident is present during a crime and regretfully injured. You might change your opinion.
Police Officers in Malta are not equipped well enough to challenge the current crimes. It is regretful to see Police Officers in a beat or on patrol on a motor bike alone. Is there anyone to help them in case of trouble?
mary Pace
Jul 2nd 2010, 11:39
@ d Zammit, I'm with you there,for they are not equipped enough the police, & ofcourse I will be sad & not happy ,if GOD forbid something happen to my son ,or whoever , But when they join the force they knew what they joined for , otherwise why be a policeman, if not to protect ,& do thier job! or just join for the pay!!! DO you expect the police just do nothing & let the robbers rob the bank????? Then we really be IN THE GUNGLA!!!
h galea
Jul 2nd 2010, 10:48
I don't belive a word from this epesode perhaps by the end of the telenovela we build the whole story.
Joseph Chetcuti
Jul 2nd 2010, 10:45
Joseph Cachia. I do not agree with your comments. I think the neighbour has Civic sence to call the police when he sees anything strange happening. Abroad Neighbourhood Watches are formed for such activity.
mary Pace
Jul 2nd 2010, 10:31
I wish to congratulate THE NEIGHBOUR! I would have done the same, MR CACHIA when policemen joined the force, they knew what they are in for, They Done thier job & I wish to congratulate them too, & before you say something , I got my son a policeman & I'm very proud of it, !!
D.Galea
Jul 2nd 2010, 10:23
Crime it seems has just got smarter, much smarter.
Lee Micallef
Jul 2nd 2010, 13:52
Or the law is dumber than we thought ?
joseph cachia
Jul 2nd 2010, 10:15
A neighbour from HELL.
His curiosity and uncalled interferance with matters of none to his concern, our police
officers might have been maimed or killed
Any of the officers would have been hurt or worse for the sake of some million euro's.
K Willie
Jul 2nd 2010, 10:23
MIn jaf kieku kienu qed jisirqu lilek kontx tghid hekk.
Andrew Gatt
Jul 2nd 2010, 10:26
Huh??
L Grixti
Jul 2nd 2010, 10:44
You're not serious are you? So if someone breaks in your house armed, and a neighbor notices something suspicious, you're asking them not to call the police, for fear of the policemen getting hurt?
Same thing goes for when seeing a place on fire, don't call for help as the firemen might get hurt?
Policemen, firemen, and other security and safety officers are heroes for the job they do, and yes, unfortunately one of the drawbacks of their jobs is that they can get hurt, but without them and them doing their job, a lot more people can be hurt!
Noel Borg
Jul 2nd 2010, 10:45
lol...agreed Joseph, if I happen to see someone robbing your house or stealing you car...i will throw away any sense of civic duty out of the window and will just walk on by...just in case anyone gets hurt because I report them.
you should consider contesting the next general election...I am sure all the crooks on our islands will vote for you.
No. 1 for Joesph Cachia...lol
Frank Grech
Jul 2nd 2010, 11:16
people like you are there to promote " omerta' " with such a ridiculous excuse. that neighbour should be given a medal for his courage. anyway i guess its useless arguing with someone that would most probably never tackle a thief if he saw one running...
A Fenech
Jul 2nd 2010, 11:17
@ Joseph Cachia ... isn't calling the police the most normal and logical thing on earth to do when witnessing something suspicious happening? Or should everyone look the other way so that our police officers do not run any risk? It's their job man, and as Ms Mary Pace rightly said they know what they're in for when they join the police force. If everyone did as you suggest, i.e. rajt ma rajtx, smajtx ma smajtx, then our country would be one big wild west. One of the biggest deterrents for criminals not to commit a crime is the general public who report immediately such suspicious deeds.
Jeremy Mifsud
Jul 2nd 2010, 11:38
joseph cachia, is this the way you treat those who come to the aid of those in need. Yes this was a case where any civic minded person would do as this NEIGHBOUR did. Call in the police and let them do their work. That's what theya re paid for .. not to sit at the Floriana concert enjoying boobs and things, not to play the fools with foreign presidents, not with sitting it pretty at their stations, but to cathc such professional criminals and put them in their proper place.
victor pulis
Jul 2nd 2010, 11:49
With the same argument a policeman should walk away if he sees a crime being commited irrespective of whether he has been called to the crime scene or happened to stumble on it himself..
M Camilleri
Jul 2nd 2010, 12:23
I can't belive there are people like this Joseph Cacia who reason in this way!! Its the job of the policeman that people call them in an emergency and they come on the spot to handle matters! Kieku mux hekk, kieku m'ghandniex bzonn ta pulizija aktar!!!!! Come on be rational and don't pass such comments on a public media..
Claudia Bautz
Jul 3rd 2010, 12:55
GOOD JOKE!!!
...it wasn't serious, was it???