Passers-by thwart suspected UAE bank robbers in 200kph car chase

Five arrested in RAK after two members of the public give chase, eventually crashing their cars into the getaway vehicle.

Five suspected bank robbers have been arrested after two passers-by gave chase at speeds of over 200kph, eventually crashing their car into the robbers' getaway vehicle.

The attempted robbery happened in Ras Al Khaimah yesterday morning, when a man tried to snatch a bag of money being brought into the bank by a female employee.

The employee scattered the money on the floor and shouted for help. Other bank staff tried to catch the robber but he escaped to a waiting car.

Three men and a woman already in the car threw stones at the pursuing bank staff, before driving off.

Police were called, but before they had time to respond, Rashid Al Shehhi, an Emirati military veteran, and Mohammed Saleh Mahmoud, an Arab expatriate, gave chase in their car at speeds of more than 200 kph.

As the robbers reached the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (the old Emirates Road), the pair crashed their car into the getaway vehicle, forcing it to stop.

Police then arrived and arrested the suspected robbers.