Hostages freed, suspect arrested in bank robbery

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- After a bank robber put a gun to the back of one hostage's head Thursday, SWAT team members resolved to take the first chance they had to storm a north Florida credit union where nearly a dozen people were being held captive, authorities said.

That moment came, they said, when two people hiding inside the Jacksonville building, unbeknownst to the suspect, made a run for it, distracting the man. SWAT team members stormed the credit union and put themselves between the gunman and the 11 hostages, ending a two-hour standoff, Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams said.

"We were able to take him into custody and save the lives of those hostages," Williams said Thursday, about an hour after the hostage ordeal had ended. "We were not only able to resolve it, but resolve it peacefully."

Williams said the suspect is a man in his late 20s or early 30s who could face potential charges of bank robbery, armed kidnapping and armed assault.

Shortly after 9 a.m., an initial 911 call reporting a robbery at the credit union in a northwest Jacksonville commercial district came in.

Patrol officers responded quickly, and after they confirmed there was a robbery, SWAT team negotiators were summoned.

Williams described a tense scene as threats escalated and SWAT team members positioned outside. He also said none of those held hostage were shot, and initial reports saying otherwise were erroneous.

SWAT team members were able to talk to the suspect, who asked for money and made demands for some family members to come to the bank, Williams said.

A couple of hostages were released through negotiations, Williams said.

But the suspect also continued to threaten other hostages several times, the sheriff said.

Televised news coverage showed a group of freed hostages being taken out by heavily armed and helmeted SWAT team members. Williams described the hostages afterward as "shaken up."

The credit union's chief said the SWAT team did "a fine job" ending the hostage situation.

In an unusual touch, the suspect came into the Community First Credit Union with a dog, according to the sheriff.

The dog was unharmed and in the care of animal-control services, said Williams, who offered no further explanation.