FBI storms Wells Fargo bank ending eight-hour siege as ‘violent’ bank robber is taken into custody and five hostages are saved after wads of CASH are thrown out the door
FBI agents stormed a bank in Minnesota to end an eight-hour siege in which five people were held hostage.
The incident began just before 2pm on Thursday at a Wells Fargo bank in St. Cloud when a customer became enraged about a transaction, police said.
The man, identified as Ray Reco McNeary, subsequently held up the bank, trapping five employees inside.
Local police, an FBI tactical team and a crisis negotiation team arrived at the scene and attempted to persuade McNeary to release the hostages.
Armed tanks and ambulances were also on standby, as it was unclear whether McNeary was armed.
After more than four hours, a woman emerged from the bank with her hands in the air and ran towards the safety of police officers.
Seconds later someone appeared to open the bank's front door and throw a wad of cash outside.
FBI agents stormed the Wells Fargo branch in St Cloud, Minnesota on Thursday night to end an eight-hour siege in which suspect Ray Reco McNeary allegedly held five people hostage
HOSTAGE 1: Shortly before 6.30pm, one female hostage was released from the bank. Video shows the woman emerging with her hands in the air as she ran towards police
HOSTAGE 2: A woman in an orange cardigan walked out of the bank at 7.30pm
About an hour after the first hostage came out, a second woman emerged and walked calmly over to law enforcement.
Another hour passed before two more hostages walked out with their hands up, separated by a few minutes.
Local TV station WCCO reported that 'a couple hundred' people had gathered across the street from the bank to watch the situation unfold.
Just after 10pm, the fifth and final hostage made a run for the door, seconds before St. Cloud police and FBI tactical teams stormed the building.
McNeary was arrested without incident.
In a subsequent press conference, St. Cloud Police Chief Blair Anderson stated that several of the employees ran out of the bank and were not released by McNeary.
Chief Anderson revealed McNeary, 35, had an extensive criminal history and was due to appear in court in relation to a violent offense at the time he held up the bank.
He did not say whether McNeary was armed.
St. Cloud police are expected to file bank robbery and kidnapping charges against him.
The bank is located in suburban St. Cloud in Minnesota
HOSTAGE 3: An hour later, a man was freed from the bank, running toward police with his arms in the air
Armored tanks, police vehicles and ambulances are currently stationed outside the St. Paul bank
Officers responded to a call about an attempted robbery at the branch shortly before 2pm
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