In recent years, Hanoi has witnessed a number of brazen bank robberies. While the suspects often attempted to flee the scene, police forces consistently managed to apprehend them swiftly.
Two bank robbery suspects caught within 16 hours
Without a stable job and drowning in debt, Tran Van Hieu (born 1991, resident of Duc Thang Ward, Bac Tu Liem District) met Nguyen Thanh Tung (born 1981, resident of Thanh Xuan Bac, Thanh Xuan District) through a Facebook group called “People in Debt Willing to Risk It All.”
The two conspired to rob a bank to settle their debts.
After scouting the VietinBank branch in Tay Ho Tay and deeming it sparsely staffed with weak security, Hieu suggested it as their target.
At around 8:40 AM on March 7, 2022, they arrived on a motorbike and used weapons to threaten staff, stealing approximately 500 million VND (approx. USD 19,800). During their escape, they dropped around 300 million VND (approx. USD 11,900) and what appeared to be a gun, later confirmed to be a fake.
By the next morning, March 8, police had arrested both suspects and recovered two knives, one fake gun, and 200 million VND (approx. USD 7,900).
Hieu and Tung were quickly arrested
Business losses drove pair to rob nearly 1 billion VND
Hoang Ngoc (left) and Phung Huu Manh
Following major business losses and mounting debts, Hoang Ngoc (born 1978, resident of Phan Boi Chau Street, Hoan Kiem) persuaded Phung Huu Manh (born 1997, resident of Chau Long Street, Ba Dinh) to help him rob a bank.
With Manh living near the BIDV Ngoc Khanh branch, he knew the area well. At around 10 AM on July 27, 2020, they executed a robbery, stealing 942 million VND (approx. USD 37,300) and a Honda Dream motorcycle from a customer at the bank.
On the evening of July 28, police arrested Manh at his home on Truc Khe Street (Dong Da District). The following morning, Ngoc was caught while hiding in Hai Phong.
Fake gun bank heist foiled by security on the spot
Scene where Ngo Dang Hung was subdued.
At 11:36 AM on September 6, 2019, while employees at VietinBank’s East Hanoi branch at 801 Ngo Gia Tu (Long Bien District) were working, Ngo Dang Hung (born 1990, resident of Ngoc Thuy Ward, Long Bien) entered wearing a mask and helmet, brandishing a fake gun and demanding money.
At the time, there were five people inside the branch, including staff and customers. A quick-thinking teller pressed the alarm button. In a panic, the would-be robber tried to flee on his motorbike but was immediately tackled and restrained by two security guards.
Police arrived shortly after and arrested Hung, seizing evidence including a knife, a fake gun, a plastic bag containing bricks and foam (used to simulate weight), a Honda Wave Alpha motorbike, and a helmet.
Fortunately, no injuries or financial losses occurred during the incident.
Vietnamnet.vn
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