A policeman picking up the black garbage bag believed to have been used by the suspect to hide his shotgun before the robbery.
The security guard who was injured in the robbery talking to a member of the Civil Defence Department personnel. He was later taken to Miri Hospital for treatment.
A policeman (right) interviewing one of the security guards at the crime scene.
A policeman showing Stanley (right) the black garbage bag believed to have been used by the suspect to hide his shotgun.
Stanley speaking to reporters at the scene yesterday.
MIRI: A hypermarket along Miri-Pujut Road lost a four-day collection worth nearly half a million ringgit in an armed robbery which occurred at about 11.55am yesterday.
The robber who was armed with a shotgun injured a security guard carrying cash amounting to RM474,000 in a canvas bag.
The incident occurred at the parking lot in front of the hypermarket.
Miri deputy police chief Supt Stanley Jonathan Ringgit, who was present at the scene yesterday, said police believed at least two persons were involved in the robbery, even though the victim claimed there was only one.
“According to our initial interview with the guards, they claimed that there was only one male suspect in this case. He was riding a scooter which has no number plate. The police however believe that there were at least two people involved,” he said.
Before the incident occurred, two security guards had gone into the hypermarket to collect the cash, while the driver waited inside their van.
He said when the duo returned from the hypermarket, the suspect appeared and stopped them at gunpoint before hitting the left ear of one of the guards with the butt of the gun and grabbing the bag from the victim.
After that, the robber ran towards his motorcycle parked nearby before speeding off.
Stanley added that the three security guards would be taken to Miri Central Police Station (CPS) for further questioning.
“Our concern is that this is a security company which had been given a licence to carry guns. The security personnel in this case did not carry any gun even though they know that they are carrying a large amount of cash. We will look into this,” he added.
Police also found a black garbage bag at the scene, believed to have been used by the suspect to hide his shotgun.
Stanley called on eyewitnesses to come forward to help with the investigation.
Those who have any information can contact the nearest police station.
The case is being investigated under Section 395/397 of the Penal Code for armed robbery.