5 arrested over Tk1.21cr robbery from DL petrol pump employee in Uttara

Five people have been arrested over the robbery of Tk1.21 crore from a DL Petrol Pump employee in Uttara while he was taking the money to a bank, Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Detective Branch (DB) said today (15 August).

Eight to ten people were involved, but the alleged mastermind remains at large, DB chief Additional Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam said at a Minto Road briefing. The DB is trying to arrest the others and recover the remaining money.

The five – Md Ilias Shikdar, Zafar, Md Robiul Islam, Mintu Rari, and Sagar Barai – were arrested in Dhaka and Narayanganj on Friday.

Police recovered Tk12 lakh, four 7.65mm pistols, six magazines, 21 rounds of ammunition, a fake Rab identity card, vests, caps, walkie-talkies, handcuffs, several number plates and a motorcycle.

Ilias and Zafar were arrested in Siddhirganj based on investigation leads. Their information led to Rubel's arrest in Matuail and Mintu's in Kajlarpar, Jatrabari. Police recovered Tk3 lakh from Rubel's rented home and later arrested Sagar in Postogola with Tk9 lakh.

Sagar has 13 cases and is a professional criminal, Shafiqul said. He was previously involved in similar Dhaka robberies targeting people carrying cash from financial institutions by motorcycle and microbus. Rubel has four cases, Mintu three, Zafar two and Ilias one.

"We have uncovered the details of the incident. Another six to seven people are involved, and more money remains to be recovered," Shafiqul said. CCTV footage showed eight people, while the suspects said two others were involved.

The stolen money was divided among the group, with organisers taking larger shares and others receiving portions according to their roles. Investigators also linked the suspects to several other Dhaka incidents.

Shafiqul said investigators had found no involvement of anyone from the petrol pump. The mastermind remains at large, and his arrest could reveal more. "If this group can be dismantled, I believe a major portion of such crimes will decline," he said.

How the robbery took place

The robbery took place around 10:30am on August 9 in front of Crowne Plaza on Airport Road in Uttara, when employees of DL Filling Station were on their way to deposit Tk 1.21 crore at a bank. The assailants hacked an employee before fleeing with the money belonging to the fuel pump.

In a case filed with Airport Police Station, DL Petrol Pump Manager Abdul Karim alleged that six to seven unidentified people intercepted a covered van carrying the cash to Pubali Bank in Sector 1, Uttara.

Assistant manager Mohammad Al Amin was travelling with CNG operator Selimuzzaman and covered-van driver Khorshed. Arriving on three motorcycles, the robbers blocked the van, held them at gunpoint and hacked Al Amin with a machete before fleeing towards Abdullahpur.

The petrol pump is owned by Tasin Akter Haque, a maternal cousin of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. His mother, late Khurshid Jahan Haque, was former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's elder sister.