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Bank robber holds up Wells Fargo in Minnesota: Four hostages are released and a wad of CASH is thrown out the door as cops continue negotiating with suspect
- Police responded to an attempted robbery at a Wells Fargo bank in St. Cloud shortly before 2pm Thursday
- As of 9pm local time four hostages had been released, per local reports
- An unconfirmed number are believed to still be inside the branch
- Local police and FBI are currently on the scene attempting to negotiate with the suspect
Police in Minnesota are responding to an active hostage situation inside a Wells Fargo bank.
An unconfirmed number of bank employees and hostages are currently being held inside the bank in the city of St. Cloud.
Officers responded to a call about an attempted robbery at the branch shortly before 2pm local time, and the incident was still listed ‘active’ seven hours later.
As of just before 9pm local time four hostages appeared to have been released – each walking out separately.
The first to emerge was a woman who ran out with her hands in the air at about 6.30pm as a crowd gathered nearby erupted in cheers.
Seconds later someone appeared to open the bank’s front door and throw a wad of cash outside.
Police in Minnesota are responding to an active hostage situation inside a Wells Fargo bank. An unconfirmed number of bank employees and hostages are currently being held inside the bank, located in the city of St. Cloud
Officers responded to a call about an attempted robbery at the branch shortly before 2pm local time, and the incident was still listed ‘active’ seven hours later
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
The bank is located in suburban St. Cloud in Minnesota
Scores of local police and the FBI were pictured on the scene, many with their guns drawn in the direction of the bank entrance.
About an hour after the first hostage came out another 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 there were five hostages in total, all of them bank employees.
The outlet said a crowd of ‘a couple hundred’ people had gathered across the street from the bank to watch the situation unfold.
As of 8pm police said no injuries had been reported among the hostages.
Wells Fargo spokesperson Staci Schiller confirmed that there was an incident inside one of their branches.
‘We can confirm a hostage situation at Wells Fargo’s St. Cloud South branch, located at 200 33rd Avenue South,’ she said in a statement.
‘We are cooperating with local law enforcement and will do whatever we can to assist the authorities in their investigation. We recognize this is a traumatic moment for the community and our colleagues. The safety and security of our customers and employees is our most important priority.’
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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
