Elche bank robbery foiled by customers

A MAN was arrested following a botched bank robbery in Elche.

Wearing a false beard, false moustache, false nose and a balaclava, the would-be robber walked into the branch in Matola, five kilometres outside the city.

“This is a hold-up, stand against the wall,” he told the two employees and two customers who were in the branch at the time.

He took their mobile phones and told the two employees to hand over all the money in the branch although they explained that there would be a 10-minute wait owing to the safe’s time-delay locks.

The robber held them at gunpoint while they waited but put the pistol in his waistband once the employees handed over money. As he bent down to put the wads of notes into a holdall, the two clients overpowered the man with the help of the employees and snatched the gun. This was later found to be loaded with blanks.

They immobilised the bank raider, ignoring his pleas to be allowed to go if he left the money behind, and held him until the National and Local Police arrived.

The 63-year-old, who has an extensive police record, was taken first to Elche’s Hospital General for attention to minor injuries incurred during the scuffle and then to the police station, still wearing the false nose.