Ren Xiaofeng

Ma Xiangjing

Two bank employees suspected of stealing nearly 51 million yuan (US$6.5 million) on April 14 from the bank in Hebei where they worked have been arrested, the Ministry of Public Security said Thursday.
 

Related readings:  Bank workers steal 51 million yuan

The two men, 34-year-old Ren Xiaofeng and 37-year-old Ma Xiangjing, vaulted into China's most wanted list of criminals on Tuesday after they robbed the Handan branch of the Agricultural Bank of China in Hebei Province.

Ma was arrested in Beijing Wednesday, several days after he and another colleague allegedly disappeared with 51 million yuan ($6.6 million) from the bank's vault.

And Ren was arrested in a rented house in Liangyungang city of the eastern Jiangsu Province at 8:20 a.m. Thursday, said Wu Heping, spokesman of the Ministry of Public Security.Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province Thursday morning.

"Police have recovered some of the missing funds and are questioning the men," Wu said.

Sources with the Jiangsu provincial public security bureau said police seized 3.4 million yuan when they arrested Ren, who allegedly "did not deny" committing the crime during initial questioning.

"This huge loss of funds has exposed major loopholes in crime prevention, especially regarding financial institutions," Wu said in a press conference. "As the investigation continues, we will learn how the suspects succeeded and we will try to mend the holes in our system."

He said he hoped the Hebei case could sound a warning to the financial sector.

The money was stolen on Saturday afternoon from the Handan branch of the Agricultural Bank of China.

Experts said that the 51 million in cash, even calculated with 100-yuan notes, would stand 51 meters high and weigh nearly 2 tons if piled up.

At least six sacks are needed to fetch it.

After the theft, the men were immediately listed as the class A most wanted suspects by the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) on Monday.

The MPS has offered a reward of 50,000 yuan ($6,474) for anyone who can provide information that leads to the men's arrest. Police in Handan also offered 200,000 yuan ($25,895) to solicit information.