There were hostages taken near Miami today. The scenario was within the Coral Gables, Florida Bank of America. The Miami financial institution hostage situation may have actually started on Thurs night. There was a home invasion and kidnapping that may be connected. Before noon local time, all the hostages were out of the structure. Police confirmed that the hostage scenario was over.
Hostages held at Coral Gables
FBI sources are telling reporters that before the Coral Gables Bank of America opened at 9 a.m. this morning, an employee was kidnapped from his home. The kidnapper forced the individual to strap a bomb to himself and go into Coral Gables Bank of America. At 8 a.m., officials were notified of the Miami-area hostage situation and started their response. The transportation infrastructure around the Coral Gables Bank of America was shut down, as were the schools right across the street from the bank.
Robbery and home attack in Miami area linked
There was a home invasion within the Miami Nob Hill apartments Thurs. This home invasion may have been a kidnapping, and has been connected to the bank robbery. The perpetrators are still at-large. Police have asked residents to keep an eye out for a red Mustang with two individuals driving it. It isn’t yet clear if the bank robbers / kidnappers were with the kidnapped employee who was possibly strapped to the bomb when he or she was forced to enter the financial institution. There isn’t yet a word on if the Coral Gables Bank hostage was really a robbery, or if there was some other motivation for the crimes.
Miami hostage scenario over, explosive device remains
There has been confirmation that the Coral Gables Bank was taken hostage. By 11:20 a.m. local time, the last person held hostage exited the building. However, FBI and police confirm the bomb squad is still on the scene. The explosive device squad and FBI stayed on the scene while the explosive device was diffused. Until the Miami hostage situation is clear, all schools and companies around Coral Gables Bank remain locked down.
Miami Herald
miamiherald.com/2010/09/24/1840420/police-hostage-situation-at-coral.html
CBS
cbs4.com/local/bank.robbery.coral.2.1929612.html
