Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Police in Tashkent detained three suspects accused of plotting a robbery at a training centre, preventing them from taking the money, the capital’s Interior Affairs Department reported.
According to the department, a former security guard at the centre recruited acquaintances to prepare the attack. He knew that a large amount of cash was kept at the facility.
The group divided responsibilities among its members. The former guard was to inspect the building in advance and tell his accomplices where the money was kept. Another suspect planned to cut off the electricity supply.
The remaining suspects were to wear masks, enter through a back door, put the money into bags and take it away in a rented car.
One member of the group planned to wear women's clothing to conceal his identity and make it harder to establish the circumstances of the attack. Investigators said the group intended to leave Uzbekistan through Ferghana region and travel to a neighbouring country after the robbery.
The three suspects were detained before they could seize the money. Police found masks, a hammer, a bag, gloves, walkie-talkies, door-opening tools, duplicate keys and a foreign passport in their possession.
A criminal case was opened under points “a” and “b” of Part 2 of Article 164 of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code. The provision concerns robbery committed by a group acting under prior agreement, using weapons or objects employed as weapons.
The suspects have been remanded in custody. The preliminary investigation is ongoing.
