Police hunt suspect after robbery of cash transport worker in Rotterdam-Kralingen
A cash transport van was robbed on Wednesday afternoon in Rotterdam-Kralingen on Lusthofstraat, a busy shopping street, at around 3:15 p.m. Cash was taken during the robbery, although the exact amount has not yet been established, the AD reports.
Police say the cash transport vehicle itself was not the direct target of the robbery. Instead, an employee linked to the vehicle was allegedly robbed while walking to an ATM inside an Albert Heijn supermarket. According to police, the suspect is believed to have been inside the cash transport vehicle during part of the incident.
“Police are searching for the suspect with multiple units and a helicopter. The suspect, who fled the scene, was wearing dark clothing and carrying a yellow shopping bag,” police said in a brief statement on its socials at 3:42 p.m.
A major police operation is underway in Kralingen. A police helicopter has been deployed, the area has been sealed off, and the search for the suspect is still ongoing. One witness told AD that the victim ran towards the parking garage.
The driver of the cash-in-transit vehicle was not physically injured, but was supported by police for aftercare because of the severe impact of the armed threat.
The Lusthofstraat has been partially cordoned off as forensic investigators carry out trace evidence work around the money transport vehicle. Police have urged local shop owners and residents to share any available CCTV or doorbell camera footage to assist the investigation.
A passer-by reacted calmly, saying: “It’s pretty intense, but there’s always something going on in this shopping centre.”
