Lahore: Police say they arrested a young man at his home hours after he allegedly stole Rs 700000 from a bank near Bhatta Chowk in Defence on Friday.

DIG Operations Faisal Kamran said investigators traced the suspect, identified as Subhan, using Safe City surveillance footage and private security cameras.

According to Kamran, a masked man entered the bank at around 9:30 am, took the security guard hostage and approached the cash counter with him. He allegedly collected the money and escaped within minutes.

Police formed teams after receiving an emergency call on the 15 helpline. Camera footage led investigators to the suspect’s home, a few minutes’ drive from the bank.

Kamran said officers recovered the stolen cash, a pistol and a briefcase during the raid. He alleged that the suspect had changed his vehicle’s number plates to evade identification and was preparing to leave for Islamabad.

The DIG said Subhan returned from the UK on September 16 and was living alone in Lahore while his family remained abroad.

According to police, he arrived with 1200 pounds but spent the money and sought further financial support from his family. Kamran said the family’s refusal prompted him to plan the robbery.

Police also alleged that online gaming and web series influenced the suspect. Kamran said Subhan told investigators he had received a bank robbery “task” through PUBG and described methods allegedly obtained through the game.

The claimed connection to PUBG remains an account attributed to police and the suspect’s reported interrogation. The report does not establish that the game itself issued such instructions.

The arrest and recoveries were announced by police; the allegations against the suspect have yet to be determined by a court.