KHABAROVSK, Russia, March 17 (UPI) -- Armed robbers have stolen nearly $154,000 belonging to the regional education department of the Russian city of Khabarovsk.
The Russian news agency ITAR-Tass reported that the Khabarovsk regional Interior Department confirmed the robbery occurred on Friday and that no suspects have been apprehended by area police.
The bandits took the government funds from an education department cashier at gunpoint outside of the department's headquarters in Khabarovsk.
The unidentified assailants also used an air gun on a cab driver who attempted to interfere in the robbery.
The lost funds, in rubles, represented the wages for several area teachers in the Russian city and local authorities have ensured them that payment will only be temporarily delayed.
In response to the incident, ITAR-Tass said, area authorities have instituted an emergency plan that includes increased patrols and inspections.
