£40,000 from West Bromwich bank left blowing in the wind during chase
Almost £40,000 in cash taken during a robbery at a West Bromwich bank ended up blowing in the wind after one of the alleged robbers dropped the money as he fled, a court has been told.
A jury at Warwick Crown Court heard Ibrahim Lyazi managed to escape as someone else tried to rob police who were collecting the money, but was finally arrested last June.
Lyazi and his twin brother Akim Lyazi are said to have been part of a team of four from London who carried out the raid at the Co-op Bank branch in High Street, West Bromwich, on November 26 last year.
They and five local men who are alleged to have been involved in the planning and back-up for the robbery, which was carried out as two female members of staff opened the bank that morning, have all denied a charge of conspiracy to rob.
The two women were bundled into the rear of the bank, and within two-and-a-half minutes the raiders had grabbed £130,000 in cash and made their getaway in a waiting car.
Mr John Butterfield, prosecuting, said that after the robbery the London team split up, with Akim Lyazi heading home with Douglas.
They were stopped by plain clothed officers as they arrived back in London.
Police arrested Akim Lyazi, and when Ibrahim turned up later the police arrived at their home.
The court heard Ibrahim fled and the officers chased him. As he ran he had dropped a JD Sports bag and £39,000 in bank notes had ended up on the pavement.
As officers attempted to collect the money they were themselves the victims of attempted robbery as someone tried to grab the money.
Although Ibrahim Lyazi got away and was not arrested for months, other arrests had taken place that day.
The trial continues.
