Gardaí hunt bungling knife-wielding thug who stole empty cash box during Dublin raid

The armed raid was carried out in Crumlin shortly before 7am when a security worker was targeted outside a business.

A suspect, holding a knife, approached the cash-in-transit employee and threatened him with the weapon.

The cash box was then handed over and the raider fled the scene.

However, the bungling criminal made his getaway empty handed after it emerged that the cash box didn’t contain any money.

Gardaí believe the robbery was an opportunistic crime and have been carrying out searches locally for the suspect.

One source said: “There have been recent cash-in-transit raids in the area but this one appears to be more opportunistic.

“It was an amateurish attempt which is evident in the fact that the man robbed an empty cash box."

Officers at Sundrive Road garda station are investigating the incident and are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

A Garda spokesman said that investigations into the incident are ongoing and that no injuries were reported.

“The incident occurred at approximately 6.45am when a lone male approached a worker who was carrying a cash box.

“The male produced a knife and demanded the cash box be handed over. The male quickly fled the scene with the box, which was empty at the time.

“Anyone with information or who was in the area at the time is asked to contact Gardaí at Sundrive Garda Station 01 666 6600,” the spokesman added.

In a separate cash-in-transit robbery in the area last June, up to €50,000 was stolen after a security worker was held at gunpoint outside a Crumlin post office.

The previous February a cyclist dressed in an An Post uniform made off with €50,000 after stealing a cash box during an armed raid in Crumlin village.

Detectives are investigating if those raids were carried out by members of a prolific armed robbery gang from the area.