CAIRO: A massive investigation is underway after an armed robbery that took place last Friday at Aramex International Egypt's Maghrabi offices ended in the murder of a security guard and a loss of approximately LE 1.5 million in stolen cash. According to a highly placed executive at the company, the robbery took place at around 5:00 a.m., last Friday, when the bandits entered the building in a seemingly normal fashion, climbed up the stairs, broke the service station's door, and entered the company's offices. The robbers then proceeded to the company's safe, where they broke open the side and took the money. While the robbers have yet to be found, all signs point to foul play. "While the robbers have not been identified, clearly this was an internal job, said the source. "No one knows about the safe except the people we deal with; our employees, delivery people, suppliers, even clients. The robbery is definitely connected to the people we deal with, of that I have absolutely no doubt, he added. The fact that the robbers were able to enter the building at 5:00 a.m., 'a conspicuous time considering working hours,' according to the executive, without any apparent difficulty, also places the murdered security guard under suspicion. "We do not know if the security guard was part of the robbery, but had an argument with the robbers and therefore was killed, or if he was an innocent bystander, said the source. "He could have even been willing to see it through, but the robbers decided at the last minute that, as he would later be questioned and knew their identity, he might bow under pressure and rat them out, which made him an obvious threat, he added. The security guard, who was hired by a professional security service company, according to the source, was torched to death. The police are conducting a background check on the victim in an attempt to uncover his connection, or lack off, with the robbers. One positive aspect of this brutal case has been the police response, which, according to the source, has proven to be highly efficient. "I have to say that I am very, very impressed by the police. They are carrying out this investigation with great seriousness and professionalism, says the source. "All areas of the department have been involved in this, from investigators to the criminal labs. I am really impressed by their speed and meticulousness, he added. According to the source, the police have rounded up all civilians who have had access to the building in the last few months. To date, 1,000 individuals have been questioned. While the robbers are still on the loose after almost a week of interrogations and extensive investigation, the source strongly believes that the police will catch them. "After seeing them work, I have complete faith in their ability. They will definitely find those people that are involved, I'm sure of it. It's just a matter of time, said the executive. In the meantime, it's business as usual at Aramex. Their offices are operating as if it's just another working day, aside from the employees who are in and out of questioning, and a new security guard whose presence acts as a reminder that someone was murdered. Aramex was founded in 1982 as an express operator and a provider of international and domestic express package delivery, freight forwarding, logistics and other transportation services primarily to, from and within the Middle East and the Indian sub-continent. Aramex established its presence in Egypt in 1986. With the recent acquisition of Egypt-based Freight Professionals, a leading freight forwarding company specializing in air and sea freight, the latest deal in Egypt, bringing the total amount invested by Aramex in acquisitions during 2005 to approximately AED 94 million, the company has consolidated its presence in Egypt as a major player, providing a full, multi-modal transportation link to every country in the world as well as full coverage of the domestic market.
