Third robbery at Standard Bank

AN armed robbery yesterday at Standard Bank’s Northern Industrial Area service centre in Windhoek was the third such attack on the bank in less than three months.

According to information obtained, three armed men entered the service centre at around 08h45, just minutes after opening time at 08h30. Sources at the centre said the robbers had entered through the delivery entrance.In a press statement released yesterday afternoon, the bank said its security teams and the Police were at the scene very quickly, “but the robbers got away with some money, the amount of which cannot be revealed yet”.Yesterday’s robbery appears to mirror two previous incidents at the bank’s Klein Windhoek and Okahandja branches in March and April respectively.During both those robberies, three armed men had entered the premises and demanded money from the tellers.The Klein Windhoek branch apparently lost N$197 356 in that robbery, which took place on a Friday morning.No arrests have been made in that case.Last month’s robbery at Okahandja, like yesterday’s, took place on a Monday morning, and cost the branch N$218 000.Police were luckier then though, as two suspects were arrested on the same day as the robbery.One of the suspects, a 21-year-old Zimbabwean national, was allegedly caught with N$59 000, which was recovered from him.Following the latest incident, Standard Bank’s Head of Personal and Business Banking, Mike Beaurain, said the bank was investigating the need to upgrade its security equipment.This investigation is scheduled for completion on Friday.”Our security equipment will be upgraded within the shortest possible time span.Customers and staff are assured of our continued commitment to their safety and security at all times,” Beaurain said.The bank refused to divulge more information, citing its ongoing investigation into the matter as reason.Sources at the centre said the robbers had entered through the delivery entrance.In a press statement released yesterday afternoon, the bank said its security teams and the Police were at the scene very quickly, “but the robbers got away with some money, the amount of which cannot be revealed yet”.Yesterday’s robbery appears to mirror two previous incidents at the bank’s Klein Windhoek and Okahandja branches in March and April respectively.During both those robberies, three armed men had entered the premises and demanded money from the tellers.The Klein Windhoek branch apparently lost N$197 356 in that robbery, which took place on a Friday morning.No arrests have been made in that case.Last month’s robbery at Okahandja, like yesterday’s, took place on a Monday morning, and cost the branch N$218 000.Police were luckier then though, as two suspects were arrested on the same day as the robbery.One of the suspects, a 21-year-old Zimbabwean national, was allegedly caught with N$59 000, which was recovered from him.Following the latest incident, Standard Bank’s Head of Personal and Business Banking, Mike Beaurain, said the bank was investigating the need to upgrade its security equipment.This investigation is scheduled for completion on Friday.”Our security equipment will be upgraded within the shortest possible time span.Customers and staff are assured of our continued commitment to their safety and security at all times,” Beaurain said.The bank refused to divulge more information, citing its ongoing investigation into the matter as reason.