A group of alert security guards helped police arrest four robbers within minutes of committing the biggest ever robbery in recent history on Tuesday night.

Posing as policemen manning a check point on the Kurunegala-Minuwangoda main Road, robbers signalled a security van, which was carrying over Rs. 90 million in cash from two private banks in the Kurunegala region to Colombo, to stop. When the driver obeyed, the ‘armed policemen’ ordered that the rear door of the van be opened.

That done, the gang loaded the bags containing cash into a waiting car, a three wheeler while two others took a few bags and rode away on a motor cycle.

However, the security officers in the van acted fast and alerted the Kotakadeniyawa Police, who rushed to the scene and gave chase to the robbers fleeing in three vehicles. Police was able to overtake and stop the three wheeler and the motor cycle but the car sped away. It had not been traced as this edition went to press.

The Police have so far recovered Rs. 70 million.

Some high ranking Police officers from Colombo and a group of officials of the two privatbanks had rushed to the scene and an investigation was being conducted, the police said.

Suspects are from Athurugiriya. Police are conducting investigations to find how the robbers obtained police uniforms.

A hunt is on for the leader of the gang who got away in the car with part of the loot.