A second-tier bank in the Komuna e Parisit area of Tirana was targeted in a robbery on Monday morning, in an episode that once again raises questions about physical security at financial institutions and preventive response on the ground. According to the official version, the perpetrator was masked, wore gloves, and is suspected of having taken an amount of money that has not yet been verified.
How the suspect entered the bank
The incident was recorded at around 10:45 a.m. According to initial information, the suspect was dressed in black, wearing a helmet on his head and carrying a shoulder bag.
Interior camera footage shows him entering the bank and pointing a weapon at the private security guard. The guard then immediately retreats into the lobby, while the suspect moves quickly toward the cashier’s desk.
Real weapon or toy, still unanswered
One of the main uncertainties remains the nature of the weapon used. So far, it has not been established whether it was a real pistol or a toy, leaving a key element of the incident unresolved.
Despite this, the entire bank premises were treated as a crime scene, while the surrounding area remained blocked off for several hours by police services.
The investigation relies on testimony and cameras
The investigative team has collected testimony from two key people: the cashier and the private security guard. For investigators, these statements and the bank’s video footage are considered important elements for reconstructing the suspect’s movements.
According to publicly released information, the fact that the suspect was wearing gloves has made it harder to find fingerprints, limiting one of the classic lines of identification.
Suspicions of an escape on an electric scooter
In parallel with the inspection inside the bank, another team is checking security cameras on nearby streets and surrounding areas. Investigators suspect the suspect fled the scene on an electric scooter.
At this stage, police have not released any details about the suspect’s identity or the exact value of the amount taken. According to police, the stolen sum remains undetermined.
The lack of a clear accounting of the amount stolen and the uncertainty over the weapon used show that some of the basic elements of the incident remain open.
Beyond the dynamics of the robbery, the case once again draws attention to the vulnerability of security at second-tier banks, even in broad daylight and in a populated area of Tirana.