A robbery gang that targeted bank patrons was rounded up in a joint action by Shenzhen and Sichuan police on Tuesday, reports Daily Sunshine.

The gang, comprised of four men and one woman, worked in "methodical co-ordination", according to police.

One member snooped around banks during busy hours and kept an eye out for lone customers withdrawing more than 10,000 yuan (US$1,200) in cash. The accomplices waited outside on motorcycles and grabbed the victims' bags.

One of the gang members was found to operate a cleaning service for banks.

The five thieves are believed to have stolen at least 200,000 yuan (US$24,165) since August.

One gang member, identified as Yuan, was flying to his hometown in Sichuan when the case broke. Shenzhen police arrested the other suspects while he was on a plane so his cohorts could not alert him. Yuan was apprehended after landing at the airport.

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