Robbers escape Florida bank standoff

Teller emerges unharmed after being taken hostage, having bomb strapped to his chest

Published September 24, 2010 6:35PM (EDT)

The FBI says robbers kidnapped a Miami-area bank employee, strapped a possible bomb to his chest and used him to steal money from the bank.

FBI spokeswoman Judy Orihuela said a teller was abducted early Friday morning by three suspects and forced to help them rob a Bank of America branch in Coral Gables near the University of Miami. The teller was wearing a vest police believed was a bomb, although that is not yet confirmed.

The teller later was brought out of the bank unharmed. Orihuela says the three suspects got away with an undetermined amount of cash.

No other employees or customers were held hostage.

The university sent an alert to students warning them to stay away from the area, and some local elementary schools have been locked down as a precaution.


By Tony Winton

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