Truong Minh Thien, a resident of District 8, together with Truong Vinh Xuong and Ha Vy Toan, who dwell in District 5, have admitted to holding up the bank, saying they needed money to pay off their debts.

An investigation found that they gathered at a transaction office of Sacombank on Tran Hung Dao Street, District 5 on March 1, planning to snatch the purses of people who withdrew money at the transaction office.

However, they dropped the scheme as no prey showed up that day and changed the location when they heard that the security staff at the Sacombank transaction office on Pham The Hien street, District 8, was not adequately equipped.

Around 2 p.m. on March 3, Thien and Toan posed as customers to enter the bank while Toan was staying outside to look out for the police.

However, they failed to rob the bank and escaped the scene empty-handed.

The police later identified them, arresting Thien and Xuong on March 5 and Toan on March 8.

Source: Saigon Times