She knew he had a gun. She knew he'd just robbed a bank ...
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
by Rowena Orejana
Alma Bondoc had just withdrawn money from one bank to pay her bills at another bank. With the cash in her purse, she was cautious and vigilant.
She turned right to a hallway that led to Kiwibank in Panmure.
She was still some distance away when she saw a man with a cap pulled low over his sunglasses coming out of the bank.
The man cradled something wrapped in black cloth in his right hand.
As he came closer he squeezed the edge of the cloth until one end of the object took on the shape of a pipe.
Instinctively, she knew it could be gun. As the man walked silently past her she suspected that he might have robbed the bank.
The whole incident was so surreal and only later did she become upset when she realised the danger she might have been in.
Since that encounter Ms Bondoc has had time to ponder whether banks take enough precautions and how people should react to such incidents.
``There's a sign on an A4 paper posted on the door of the bank that says caps and sunglasses should be taken off when one enters the bank,' she says.
``But it is not strictly enforced so nobody pays attention to that sign.' And because of the cap and sunglasses she could give only a vague description of the suspect and ``wouldn't be able to identify him'.
In cases like these, the police emphasise that survival is the number one rule.
No one should play the hero as this could put other people's lives in danger, police say.
If there is an armed robbery on your premises or you witness one, the aim is to ensure the offender leaves the premises as soon as possible without injuring or harming anyone.
As best as you can, without staring, note the offender's features, clothing, weapon and actions.
Also note the direction they take when leaving plus details of any vehicles - but only if it is safe to do so.
Call the police on 111 as soon as the offender has left, giving as much information as possible
Police also advise that it's important to preserve any evidence, so restrict entrance after the robbery, isolate the areas involved and ask witnesses to stay until police have arrive.
Don't touch anything the offender may have touched, such as doors, counters or a note.
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