A robbery at a Madrid bank branch on Núñez de Balboa street in the district of Salamanca was reported by police sources to Europa Press. The incident unfolded early this Friday when a suspect demanded money at the counter, threatening the cashier with a knife and prompting a rapid police response.
The events began around 9:00 in the morning, when the individual entered the bank, drew attention with a weapon, and ordered cash from the till. Customers and staff in the lobby were startled by the confrontation, and the atmosphere turned tense as the thief moved closer to the counter. After securing the money, the assailant placed it into a garbage bag and began a hurried retreat towards the street, clearly intending to escape with the loot.
The loot reportedly included 160,000 euros, and the suspect was seen carrying a couple of knives as he departed the bank. According to police sources, the cash was taken in a bag commonly used for waste collection, which added to the confusion of onlookers in the moment of the incident.
The bank’s address is 65 Núñez de Balboa Street, located in the Salamanca district, an area known for its mix of residential and commercial activity. Local officers from the 13th Group of the Robbers division, operating under the Madrid National Police High Headquarters, were assigned to the case and began the investigation promptly after the alarm was raised by the bank’s security system.
As the situation unfolded, customers and employees reported a sudden disturbance when the assailant brandished the knife and demanded cash. The thief’s actions created moments of chaos within the branch, with several individuals noting the abrupt confrontation and the fear that gripped those present. The weapon remained pointed at the cashier for a brief period before the money was retrieved and the suspect turned to exit the premises.
The offender then escaped from the building on foot, moving into the surrounding streets with the bag of cash and the two knives in his possession. Alarm protocols were activated by the bank’s security personnel, and responding officers from the riot police unit were dispatched to the area, initiating a search that quickly focused on nearby routes. Within a short time, law enforcement officers located and detained the suspect in connection with the robbery.