Might not be Phuket “Minute Man’ bank robber’s first heist: Police

PHUKET: The “Minute Man” who made off with 2.7 million baht in a bank robbery yesterday displayed similar behaviors to the uncaught bank thief who robbed a Kasikorn Bank branch in Witchit January last year, said Phuket City Police Superintendent Sermphan Sirikong.

In both cases, the robbery was made at gunpoint by a man wearing a helmet and took less than a minute before the thief was back on his motorbike and speeding away.

Several details have led the investigation team to believe that the robber has had an inside connection in committing the robberies.

“It seems like he knew that before the bank closes all the tellers collect their money and deposit it at counter number one. Because of this, he walked straight up to that counter and forced the teller to give him the money,” explained Col Sermphan.

Two task forces are to be set up to catch the crook, one will focus on tracking down the man, while the other will continue to collect evidence and question witnesses.

The robber fled on the motorbike along Thepkrasattri Road, heading away from Phuket Town. He then turned left into Soi Khuandindaeng-Khao Khow, Col Sermphan added.

“We have already checked the bank’s CCTV footage and other CCTV footage along the robber’s escape route. Using the information we have we will set up a team to track him down,” Col Sermphan added.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong