Robbers claim attempted Rupali Bank heist was to save dying kidney patient: Police

The robbers, who attempted to rob the Rupali Bank Jinjira branch in the capital's Keraniganj this afternoon, told the police that they did so to save a dying kidney patient.

"It appears the robbers attempted the heist as an adventurous act inspired by a movie. However, they claimed their motive was to rob the bank to save a kidney patient on his deathbed," Dhaka District Superintendent of Police Ahmad Muyeed said at a media briefing at Keraniganj Model Police Station this evening (19 December).

He stated that the police are verifying the address of the patient provided by the robbers to confirm its authenticity.

Also Read: 'They tried to enter vault, loot cash': Eyewitness recalls 4hr horror in Rupali Bank attempted robbery

Earlier in the day, three armed robbers stormed the the Rupali Bank Jinjira branch and took the bank staffers hostage.

As news of the impending robbery spread, law enforcers arrived at the scene. The police then asked for the army's help.

Later, the suspected to be robbers were detained after they surrendered to the joint forces.

Speaking to The Business Standard, the staffer, on the condition of anonymity, said the first thing they were told was to surrender their phones. 

"One of us, however, somehow managed to call a local and inform him of what was going on."

Once the information got out, a local mosque was told. 

"The local mosque made an announcement that the bank was targeted."

In time, locals rushed to the spot and were joined by law enforcers and security forces.

The presence of law enforcers, however, meant their escape route was blocked. They couldn't flee.