• Sweden edition

'Big, hairy animal' tries to rob Swedish bank

Published: 7 May 11 12:33 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/33638/20110507/

Gothenburg police were outrun by a man dressed like a large, furry animal after he attempted to rob a bank Friday evening.

The drag-robber, who was armed, attempted to rob a branch office of Swedbank located at Frölunda Torg around 6pm Friday.

A witness described the perpetrator as dressed in either a monkey or bear costume.

No arrest has been made.

“A man in a monkey outfit, or similar, may have been a bear, too, came running with security guards behind him. I thought it was a joke at first, a stunt, but then I walked passed the bank and saw the shattered glass,” said a witness to Götebors-Posten (GP), Gothenburg's daily newspaper.

Police said the man chose an "animal-like costume."

A number of people witnessed the incident, but police would not say much more about the robbery.

Shots were not fired and no one has been physically harmed, said police spokesman Ulf Edberg.

Police believe the robber acted alone and would not comment on his escape from the bank.

About an hour after the attempted scandal, police were called to investigate a burning vehicle found near the crime scene at Ruddalen sports centre.

Police say they will not exclude the idea of it being a possible get-away car.

In the meantime, police are still on the hunt for the perpetrator.

TT/The Local/kh (news@thelocal.se)

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12:01 May 7, 2011 by occassional
What exactly is a "Harry" animal ?
12:16 May 7, 2011 by eppie
I think his name was Harry.

As in 'Harry the bear'.
12:17 May 7, 2011 by IXUS
Someone please buy the Local a sub editor.

It's spelt "hairy" you illiterate bafoons. Harry is a boy's name, as in eh, Prince Harry.
12:30 May 7, 2011 by cookiemaster
If it was big, chances are it was Swedish:p...@occassional...Harry, hairy, or hurry is all the same...wake up
13:19 May 7, 2011 by Swedesmith
Gosh dangit, when I told the wife we needed some extra cash, I didn't think she'd go that far!
13:20 May 7, 2011 by Yanksalot
how the heck did a man in a costume like that "out run" the police?? how slow where they going to let him turn a corner and blend in?
13:22 May 7, 2011 by swedejane
Good lord, there is no level of incompetence the Gothenburg police aren't capable of. You were outwitted by a guy in an animal costume. You should be ashamed.
13:46 May 7, 2011 by Stickeroo
@Yanksalot

Not so hard, he turned the corner and blended in with all the Gothenburg girls!
14:42 May 7, 2011 by Kevin Harris
Now we have rumbled his stealth submarine, bin Laden has clearly now disguised himself as a primate and is robbing banks on the West Coast.
16:55 May 7, 2011 by Cage
Are they sure this wasn't Sacha Baron Cohen performing a stunt for his next movie? Maybe this is one of those guys from Balls of Steel or Jackass. The cops need to chill out and smoke a fat spliff, you know, like they do when they aren't busy drinking, harassing folk or being misogynistic.
22:12 May 7, 2011 by Zhorka
How do they know it was a human?
23:23 May 7, 2011 by jamesblish
Looks like Han Solo is out of money again...
23:32 May 7, 2011 by reason
So was it police or security guards that were outrun? The only source quoted says security guards while the intro says police.
00:36 May 8, 2011 by jack sprat
It was bear-faced robbery according to the security guards.

The cops were last seen heading out of town in the opposite direction.
01:10 May 8, 2011 by Infart
Frölunda police?? If they had caught him, they would probably have "talked to him," pleaded with him not to do it again and let him go. Out-witted by rock-throwing, immigrant gangs one week and then a dude in an ape costume the next. Not a good time for Frölunda police.
02:01 May 8, 2011 by muscle
:) you guys really have some funny news :). I have stopped reading comic strips now for these kind of news :)
02:46 May 8, 2011 by jahmin
"Gimme all the.................... money!"

"Sure buddy but what's with the big paws?"
06:51 May 8, 2011 by Soft Boiled
If caught he could be looking at 5-10 in Skansen :)
10:07 May 8, 2011 by Thompsuleme
I beleive the robber should be recruited to the swedish athletic team. That is one hell of an accomplishment outrunning the police in that costume :). Either that, or the entire police team chasing him be releived of their duties.
12:42 May 8, 2011 by jackx123
fantastic story. bring em' on. it must have been a sight for the eye though
17:33 May 8, 2011 by theamazingthing
The witness couldn't tell the difference between a monkey and a bear?
22:21 May 8, 2011 by cookiemaster
@ swedejane , do not...underestimate the power of anyone..including Swedish police in Göteborg...you never know who wore than custom and life is like box of chocolates they say:p
07:00 May 9, 2011 by farnoxo
omg - I work with this person!!!
12:15 May 9, 2011 by technoviking
It was @ laura kebab...
12:18 May 9, 2011 by wenddiver
It was the CIA, they are just Big , Hairy, American, Winning machines (took that from the movir "Talladega nights" and adopted it to the Local were everything traces back to the CIA.
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