Bank robbery in Sweifieh thwarted Thursday

AMMAN — Criminal Investigation Department (CID) personnel on Thursday foiled a bank robbery attempt in the capital’s Sweifieh neighbourhood, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Public Security Department (PSD) spokesperson Lt. Col. Amer Sartawi said that the CID received a tip-off on a suspicious man standing near the bank, and a CID patrol quickly reached the location.

Patrol personnel identified the suspect who was carrying a briefcase with him. They arrested him and searched the case which contained two plastic guns, a mask and gloves, Sartawi noted, adding that the suspect confessed to his intention to rob the bank during initial investigation. 

The PSD extended its appreciation to citizens for their cooperation, security alert and their role in maintaining order, thanking the citizen who reported the suspect.

Thursday’s attempted robbery follows six robberies since the beginning of the year.

In April, Interior Minister Samir Mubaidin described the robbery cases on banks and money exchange shops as “worrying”, noting that they had become a “public concern”.

Mubaidin made his remarks during a meeting with stakeholders to discuss procedures to be taken to prevent bank robberies.

The minister stressed that bank robberies cannot be considered security faults, especially as security apparatuses always support security staff at banks. He stressed that some banks have not committed to security plans that were designed and approved after several meetings organised by the Interior Ministry with bank stakeholders.