A failed attempt to rob a branch of Rupali Bank in Dhaka's Keraniganj on December 19 took a dramatic turn when the robbers, fearing a fatal beating by an angry mob, frantically called the police and pleaded for rescue.
According to BSS, the mastermind, Md Leon Molla alias Nirab, 22, orchestrated the heist and convinced two teenagers, Arafat and Sifat, both 16, to participate by promising them Tk.5 lakh each.
The trio was apprehended shortly after their failed robbery attempt.
On December 20, Arafat and Sifat gave confessional statements, while Leon was placed on a three-day remand.
In his confession, Sifat recounted how Leon befriended them just 10-12 days before the incident.
“At first, we used to talk about football. Four or five days before the robbery, Leon revealed his plan and promised us Tk.5 lakh each.
Initially, we refused, but eventually, we agreed,” Sifat admitted.
The robbers initially targeted a bank in the Kadamtali area but later settled on the Rupali Bank branch in Chunkutia.
Armed with three toy pistols, they launched their heist around 1:45pm, locking the bank’s main gate and taking everyone inside hostage.
“We ordered everyone, including the security guard, to remain silent and sit on their knees with their hands behind their backs. We assured them we wouldn’t harm anyone and would leave after taking the money. Except for one person, everyone complied,” Sifat said.
The robbers disabled the CCTV cameras, destroyed the bank’s server hub, and confiscated the hostages’ mobile phones.
They looted Tk18 lakh but were unable to access the vault as the manager was absent during the robbery.
As the robbery unfolded, bank officer Mohabbat Hossain locked himself inside the guardroom and secretly called the bank manager and building caretaker, informing them of the situation.
Arafat described the scene when panic set in: “We stashed Tk.15 lakh in a bag. Leon took another two lakh in his pant pocket, and I took one lakh in mine. When we realized that people outside knew about the robbery and would likely beat us to death, Leon started calling the police, begging them to come and save us.”
Officer-in-Charge of South Keraniganj Police Station Mazharul Islam confirmed the desperate calls from Leon.
“He called us repeatedly, pleading for rescue from the mob,” the OC said.
Leon later provided valuable information during remand, including the sources of the toy pistols and knife used in the robbery.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the perils of crime, where even the perpetrators were left pleading for their lives, fearing the wrath of an outraged public.