Passers-by catch masked Chinese robber after he knocks down old man and flees with 100,000 yuan

Passers-by gave chase and helped to catch a masked Chinese robber who had stolen 100,000 yuan (HK$115,000) in cash from an old man, mainland media reports.

The retired resident, 76, from the city of Harbin, in Heilongjiang province, cried out for help after being knocked to the ground by the suspect inside the entrance to his apartment building on Wednesday, the Modern Evening Times reported.

Earlier the old man had gone to his local bank to deposit the money, only to find that he had forgotten to take his ID card with him.

He withdrew 3,100 yuan from another bank account and placed the money inside a red bag he was using to carry the cash, before going home to collect his ID card.

The elderly man then noticed he was being followed a young man wearing a mask.