MIAMI (WSVN) - Police took a man into custody in downtown Miami after, they said, he tried to rob a bank and took an elderly woman hostage.
City of Miami Police and Fire Rescue units arrived at the Bank of America Financial Center, located at 150 W. Flagler St., at around 12:30 p.m., Friday.
“Once our officers started arriving, the call the started to develop as a possible robbery,” said Miami Police Officer Michael Vega. “One of our officers comes inside and sees that there’s a Black male that has a female held by the neck and that he had a bag with him.”
According to police, the suspect held a customer hostage.
“I’ve got a hostage on the ground being held down by somebody, they are negotiating with someone right now,” said an officer over Broadcasitfy police scanner.
The street was shut down as negotiators got to work inside the bank.
“So as I’m getting to the office, the SWAT team is here,” said Ruben Coello.”Like, there’s over 100 police cars here, like it was crazy, so.”
People who worked nearby captured video of the massive police response.
One man had left the bank right before the suspect came in.
“A stroke of luck that I didn’t get caught right in the middle,” Monty Michael said.
7Skyforce hovered over the scene as police took in a suspect into custody.
“They took their time to speak to him, see what he had and got him to surrender peacefully,” said Vega. “It’s textbook what somebody should have done.”
The elderly woman who was taken hostage was not hurt.
Police have not specified whether or not a weapon was found at the scene. The FBI has since taken over the investigation because the incident happened inside a bank.
“They took their time to speak to him, see what he had and got him to surrender peacefully, it’s text book what somebody should have done,” Vega said.
The bank teller was released with no injuries.
The FBI has taken over the investigation.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.