GURUN, MALAYSIA - Three men staged a daring robbery at the Gurun Rest and Recreation (R&R) stop on the North-South Expressway heading north towards Alor Star, escaping with RM 3 mil yesterday.

The robbers struck as security guards were unloading the cash from an armoured vehicle to replenish an automated teller machine at the rest stop.

Police said the robbers drove up to the stationary armoured van in a black MPV at about 4.30pm.

While a masked robber held up the van driver, his accomplice began loading five bags of cash containing the RM3mil into the MPV.

They then got into the vehicle and ordered the driver, Zainuddin Yahaya, 38, to drive to a nearby estate.

Once there, the duo jumped out and sped off with the third man in the MPV.

Police have detained all four security guards to facilitate investigations.

State CID chief Mohd Zakaria Ahmad said roadblocks had been set up at the Malaysia/ Thailand border.