Marines stop bank robbers in Iraq, recover $3.7 million in U.S. currency
USMC News
Story Identification Number: 200342061756
Story by Staff Sgt. Bill Lisbon
BAGHDAD, Iraq(April 18, 2003) -- After a short firefight, U.S. Marines stopped three bank robbers who were attempting to steal $3.7 million in U.S. currency from a Baghdad bank April 15.
When Marines arrived on the scene, two of the robbers shot at the Marines using AK-47 rifles from within the bank. Marines returned fire killing one gunman and injuring another. The third robber escaped.
Local civilians alerted Marines from 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment to the theft in progress as they were patrolling the city. The bank lay outside of their patrol area, but the Marines investigated, said Lt. Col. Rick Long, I Marine Expeditionary Force spokesman.
After U.S. forces secured Baghdad, intense looting by Iraqi civilians began. In order to maintain peace in the city, troops focused on policing the streets with Iraqi police officers.
U.S. troops are finding their greatest source of intelligence comes from the Iraqi people. Marines expect more and more help from Iraqis as it starts to sink in that they are no longer threatened by the regime, said Lt. Col. George W. Smith Jr., lead planner for I MEF.
Why the several million dollars of U.S. currency was located in the bank is currently under investigation.
The money was turned over to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service until its fate is determined.
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