SHARJAH // Five men have been arrested on suspicion of attacking two armoured-van guards and trying to snatch a bag containing Dh1million.
The gang, all Nigerians, targeted the vehicle as it made a stop at an ATM in the Al Taawun area. The guards were attacked as they returned to the van with the bag of money, a police spokesman said.
"The gang attacked them and tried to pull the bag from them but they mounted a stiff resistance and the gang fled," he said
One of the guards was hurt in the attack but was able to alert police.
Officers investigated and were able to identify and arrest two of the gang. Police raided a house in the emirate and arrested the three other suspects. Three other Nigerian men who worked with the gang are still at large.
Police have urged banks to increase security on armoured vans and vehicles used to transport money, especially ones that take cash to isolated areas.
In a separate incident, a 42-year-old Afghan man was arrested on suspicion of robbing bank customers. The man allegedly snatched Dh30,000 from the front passenger seat of a car after following a customer from a bank and asking him to stop and check the vehicle's tyres.
"CID who were on patrol near the bank watched the suspect snatch the envelope, but he was shocked to find the police there," a spokesman said.
ykakande@thenational.ae