[UPDATED] Bank robbery near Couva police station

SEVERAL safety deposit boxes were discovered opened on the floor near one of Republic Bank’s vaults and the contents missing on Tuesday morning.

Police responded to the incident around 8 am, after being alerted by bank officials that the Republic Bank branch on Southern Main Road, Couva was broken into. The bank is also opposite the Couva police station.

Police said there was a hole in the wall of the communication room to the back of the bank. A second hole was discovered on top of the vault in which the bandits pierced through about inches of concrete and a one-inch-thick sheet of metal.

CCTV footage showed two people on the northern end of the building around 1 am on Sunday, but the camera was then covered obstructing its view, police confirmed.

A bank official said around 6.30 pm on Friday the institution was locked and secured by a security officer for the weekend.

She said 7 am on Tuesday when she arrived at work, the security officer alerted her to a hole in the wall of the communication room.

She said further checks revealed the ceiling tiles above a vault in the northwestern corner of the building were removed and there was debris around the vault.

Republic Bank on Tuesday morning confirmed there was a break in over the weekend at its Couva branch.

It said, “An investigation has been launched into the incident and we are co-operating fully with the authorities.

“We can confirm that all customers’ records and files remain secured and the branch’s cash vault was not breached.

“As this is an ongoing investigation, the Bank will be limiting any further statement on this matter at this time.”

This story was originally published with the title "Bank break-in opposite Couva police station" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

Police remain baffled over a weekend robbery at a bank in Couva opposite the Couva police station.

Reports said the building, which houses Republic Bank, on the Southern Main Road, had a hole in the back wall, and another was discovered under a building on the same compound.

Police responded around 8 am on Tuesday, after being alerted by bank officials.

At the time they were unable to say whether any money was stolen.

Republic Bank confirmed on Tuesday that there had been a break-in over the weekend at its Couva branch.

It said, “An investigation has been launched into the incident and we are co-operating fully with the authorities. “We can confirm that all customers’ records and files remain secured and the branch’s cash vault was not breached."

It declined to give further information, saying, “As this is an ongoing investigation, the bank will be limiting any further statement on this matter at this time.”