| Submit your comments on this article |
| Down Under |
| ATM thieves blow up suburban bank |
| 2008-07-26 |
| AT least one of the robbers still at large after a bank heist in Brisbane may be injured from his gang's own explosion, police say. The Bank of Queensland Aspley branch, on Gympie Road, was gutted and charred by an explosion at about 3.15am (AEST) today. The bank's automatic teller machine was thrown onto the footpath by the blast. After initial investigations at the scene, police believe one of the men was standing near the explosion. North Brisbane Police District acting superintendent Jeff Kelly said a paper delivery operator also saw a man dressed in dark clothing "stagger" from the bank. "The gentleman staggered over to a late '90s model Holden sedan, dark colour, which was parked adjacent to the bank where two other persons dressed in similar clothing were standing behind the vehicle," Superintendent Kelly said. "That vehicle was then seen to drive off at a high speed in a west direction towards Albany Creek." Police said they were appealing to hospital staff and medical practitioners for assistance. Any medical practitioners with information about a man or men with injuries consistent with an explosion, such as burns or shrapnel injuries, were asked to contact Crime Stoppers. Queensland Fire and Rescue Service senior operation coordinator Paul Simmons said firefighters brought a resulting blaze under control within 30 minutes of the explosion. It is not known if anything was stolen from the bank. No bystanders or bank staff were injured. The fire also damaged a neighbouring business and parts of the Fountain Shopping Centre bounded by Gympie and Albany Creek roads remain closed, but all roads are open. Scientific officers remain at the scene to investigate the cause of the fire. The Bank of Queensland has advised that the branch will be closed until further notice. Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. |
| Posted by:Oztralian |