One man remains in police detention following a foiled robbery at the RBC Royal Bank at University Drive this morning.
The incident occurred shortly before 11 a.m., as several customers were carrying out business.
According to eyewitnesses, the masked man entered the banking facility and got out with an undisclosed sum of money.
However, two men who were approaching the bank pursued the culprit to nearby Batts Rock and detained him until police arrived.
Samuel Waithe, one of the two who gave chase, told Barbados TODAY he jumped into action when he realised what was unfolding.
“I was outside standing up by my car and I saw the guy going in with a mask, so I tell my partner a man going in the bank. Then another man come out the bank normal, so I went there and peep in and saw the robber running out of the bank. Another guy and I pursue him and I caught him down in Batts Rock and I hit up on him,” Waithe said, adding that they “battled around until the police came.”
Eyewitnesses said the robber appeared to be wielding a sword but police said that was not the case.
Public Relations Officer Inspector David Welch said the man, whose identity has not been revealed, might have a history of mental illness. No charges have yet been laid against him.
No one was injured during the daring daylight robbery, but the bank was closed for the remainder of the day as police conducted their probe.
The bank was closed for the rest of the day as police investigated.