Police have arrested a British-Pakistani man accused of robbing a private bank near Bhatta Chowk in Lahore’s South Cantt area and taking around Rs700,000 from the cash counter.
Police identified the suspect as Subhan. Investigators said he had spent about six years in Scotland, where he worked as a taxi driver, before returning to Pakistan on September 16.
According to police, the suspect arrived at the bank in an expensive car while wearing a mask. CCTV footage allegedly showed him holding two security guards at gunpoint before entering the bank.
One security guard was reportedly ordered to help remove a suitcase from the vehicle. The suspect then allegedly disarmed another guard and took him towards the cash counter before taking the money. Police said the robbery lasted around nine minutes.
Police reveal alleged planning behind robbery
DIG Operations Faisal Kamran said police received information about the robbery at around 9:19am. Investigators then used CCTV footage to trace the suspect, who was later arrested from a private housing society in Lahore.
Police alleged that Subhan had planned the robbery and had observed the bank before carrying out the crime. Investigators said he selected the branch after examining its parking and possible routes for leaving the area.
Police further alleged that he had purchased a pistol from Sialkot for Rs45,000 in April and later bought ammunition for Rs20,000 from the Thokar Niaz Baig area. Investigators have also included the alleged sellers of the weapon and ammunition in the investigation.
Police said the suspect was influenced by crime related Netflix content.
Suspect allegedly planned to flee Lahore
Police said the suspect returned from Britain carrying around £1,200. Investigators allege he spent the money and later had a dispute with his family before planning the bank robbery. His family reportedly remained in Britain while he was living alone in Lahore.
Investigators said he had also prepared an escape plan. He planned to drive to an under-construction house, leave his vehicle there, switch to another car and then travel towards Islamabad.
Police were able to trace him through CCTV footage and arrested him shortly after the incident. Police recovered the vehicle used in the South Cantt bank robbery.
However, the investigation remains underway, including inquiries into how the suspect obtained the weapon and ammunition and the circumstances surrounding the robbery.