SUNGAI PETANI: The lone robber in a botched heist at a UOB Bank branch in Taman Ria Jaya here this morning, turned out to be a manager with private security firm in the same town.

It is learnt that the revolver used by the 50-year-old man in the robbery attempt was the same one issued by his company.

It was also learnt that the man is a army veteran with 22 years of service.

However, it could not be immediately ascertained if his company was also the same one used by the bank he had tried to rob.

At 8.35am today, the man, wearing a crash helmet, had barged into the bank and trained his weapon at one of the two security guards on duty.

As he ordered the guard to walk to the back of the bank, the guard’s colleague, armed with a pump gun, pounced on the robber.

The two guards then struggled with the robber, who then fired off two shots which struck one of the guards. At the same time, a bank employee alerted the police.

A police team responding to the emergency sped to the location, arriving one minute after receiving the distress call.

Policemen then overpowered the robber and took him into custody.

The wounded security guard was rushed to the Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital.

He is said to be in stable condition and out of danger.-nst