RIYADH, Oct 8: Masked gunmen, wielding machine guns, on Tuesday robbed the branch of the Al-Rajhi Banking and Investment Corporation, the third bank robbery here this year.

Ten months ago, a Banque Saudi Fransi branch in north Jeddah was robbed by four people, and another bank in the south of Jeddah. Police sources say all the suspects involved in the robberies were arrested and are now serving prison terms.

Two years ago the Al-Rajhi Banking and Investment Corporation Branch in Makkah was robbed of SR87,000.

It is still not known how much cash, if any was taken away during the Tuesday morning robbery in Jeddah. The common perception is that a number of crimes in Jeddah are the work of illegal residents who enter Saudi Arabia on Umrah or Haj.

Petty theft is also not uncommon. Newspaper reports indicate stealing of mobile phones and purses.