Airport dollar robbers fled to Huraa, house searched

It has been confirmed that the masked robbers who threatened two Bank of Maldives (BML) employees at Velana International Airport's (VIA) Terminal 1 and stole a suitcase with over USD 100,000 had fled to K. Huraa by speedboat.

Home Minister Ali Ihusan stated at 1:08pm via X that four suspects had been apprehended, with the getaway speedboat having been found as well. However, investigative administrations have not said anything regarding whether the stolen money has been found.

"I commend the officers for their swift and effective efforts in advancing the investigation and securing the suspects," the Minister wrote.

A source has told Mihaaru News last night that the four suspects involved in the theft have been arrested in Huraa, along with a house linked to them being searched via a court order.

"Two of the four arrested suspects are native to Guraidhoo, with them frequently visiting Huraa to visit a brother of theirs. I do not know where the other two are from," said the source.

As per the source, the masked robbers stole the money from the BML employees from Terminal 1, with them taking a 12 seater speedboat to Huraa yesterday morning around 8:45 am.

The source also said that the suspects were arrested by Police in Huraa.

"A lot of Police have come to the island since then and have been conducting a search. The speedboat has also been docked at the harbor," the source. said.

The robbers threatened the BML employees with knives and took the cash-filled suitcase from the walkway between the old terminal and the new terminal.

The suitcase that was stolen contained dollars meant for issuance to local travelers headed abroad, the source said. The money was stolen while it was being transported to the Dollar counter at the new Terminal 1.

Police clarified that the BML staff did not use Police security during the transport of these funds.

The robbers had reportedly got to the terminal via a car. The suspects fled using a speedboat docked at the VIA jetty, according to a source.

Another source shared that as they fled with the suitcase, the thieves had sprayed a substance in the faces of Aviation Security Command Officers at the scene and threatened them with knives, as well.

Police said yesterday morning that they received reports at around 4:45am of two masked robbers stealing a cash-filled suitcase from two employees of BML at the airport.