Robbery at Habib Bank branch in Sharjah
Police said one of the attackers had threatened bank employees with a knife
Four people “covered from head to toe” robbed a Habib Bank branch in Sharjah yesterday.
The gang entered the branch at 11.30am and sprayed a substance on employees and customers before robbing the bank, according to an Emirati man.
He said his friend told him about the incident after hearing about what happened from a Habib Bank employee.
“He told me his friend said they felt dizzy after they were sprayed with that substance by the attackers.”
The man said they did not know whether the robbers were men or women.
A Sharjah policeman said one of the attackers had threatened bank employees with a knife.
Noor, a security guard at a car park near the branch, said he saw the attackers as they got out of a car and went into the bank.
“They were covered from head to toe, and went in and out quickly,” said the Afghan national, whose room overlooks the bank’s main entrance.
Police patrols rushed to the bank, followed by forensic experts who are reviewing CCTV footage for information.
Police cordoned off the area for investigation and blocked people from entering and exiting the bank.
News of the robbery spread among employees of other banks on Corniche Road.
“What? Habib Bank has been robbed now? It is right next to us,” said an employee at a bank less than a kilometre away.
Police said the amount of money stolen was still being calculated.