Padang. The West Sumatra Police announced on Wednesday the arrest of three suspects, including two low-ranking police officers, for their alleged involvement in the robbery of an ATM refill car belonging to a state-owned bank. The suspects reportedly stole safes containing Rp 2.5 billion ($162,000) in cash.

West Sumatra Police Chief Inspector General Suharyono identified the two officers by their initials: N, 29, and S, 21. The third suspect, a civilian, was identified as HS, 38.

Authorities launched a manhunt following the robbery and tracked down a Daihatsu Terios, believed to have been used by the robbers, in Padang’s Nanggalo District. The incident itself occurred several days ago on an elevated road in Padang Pariaman Regency, Suharyono said.

The car's identification led to HS's arrest in Padang Pariaman and the recovery of seven safes hidden in nearby bushes. After interrogating HS, the police subsequently arrested N and S, Suharyono added.

Suharyono further revealed that one of the suspects had contacted Second Brigadier Steven Immanuel, the officer assigned to guard the ATM refill car, claiming to have an item that needed to be delivered to Pariaman, which was along the same route. When the refill car pulled over to collect the item, the suspects allegedly held the driver at gunpoint and transferred the safes to their getaway car before fleeing the scene.

"The investigation is ongoing, and we are working to identify other potential suspects involved in this crime," Suharyono said. He did not confirm whether the officer guarding the ATM car is under investigation.

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