Hong Kong police hunting robber in HK$370,000 bank hold-up zero in on estate

Hong Kong police have launched a manhunt for a robber who held up a Hang Seng Bank branch with a knife and injured a staff member before fleeing with HK$370,000 (US$47,180).

Wearing a face mask and cap, the man entered the bank alone at Fortune City One shopping centre on Ngan Shing Street at about 4.43pm on Monday, initially sitting near counter No 4, a police source said.

At around 5pm, he took a butcher knife measuring 17.8cm (7 inches) out of a paper bag, grabbed the female worker from behind and held the weapon to her neck.

The Cantonese-speaking man then forced her to retrieve money from counter No 1, grabbing HK$120,000 in yuan, United States dollars and local currency. The robber made her take an additional HK$250,000 from counter No 2.

He put the knife and money into his paper bag before fleeing the scene with HK$370,000 in total.

Police searched areas around nearby MTR stations, including Sha Tin and Shek Mun, but did not find him.

The 35-year-old victim was taken to Prince of Wales Hospital for treatment for a minor cut.