The robbery, according to eyewitnesses, took place around noon, when most bank employees were on a break.

One eyewitness, Agus, said a group of around 16 robbers arrived at the bank on motorcycles carrying rifles and pistols.

“They were all wearing full-face helmets. Some entered the bank while others guarded the entrance,” Agus told The Jakarta Post at the scene of the crime.

One of the bank’s employees, who declined to be named, said four robbers had entered the bank carrying rifles and ordered the staff to go to the kitchen.

An officer from the police paramilitary unit (Brimob) tried to stop the criminals but was shot in the chest, he said.

“[The officer] died on the spot after being shot by the robbers.”

Apart from killing the policeman, First Brig. Imanuel Simanjuntak, the robbers also injured security guard Muhdiantoro, who was in a critical condition after being shot under his right arm.

North Sumatra Police chief Insp. Gen. Oegroseno said his office had set up a special team to investigate the robbery.

The robbers were likely  hardened criminals who had robbed several banks in Medan already, he said.

“Based on the operation, it seems the robbers, who did not hesitate to shoot security personnel, were hardened criminals.

“They seem organized,” Oegroseno said.

The police believed the robbers were still in Medan, he said.

Over the last eight months there have been at least three armed bank robberies in Medan.

The previous robberies hit Sumut Bank in Marelan, BRI bank in Amplas and a CIMB Niaga bank in Medan Perjuangan.

To date, however, none of the those involved in any of these cases has been found.

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