A tense hostage situation is unfolding at a California bank, where a suspected robber, allegedly armed with a bomb strapped to his chest, has taken control.
According to Bakersfield police, the incident began shortly after 1 p.m. when they received reports of a bomb threat at the Chase Bank located on 17th Street and Chester. Officials quickly discovered that the male suspect had barricaded himself inside the bank, holding an unspecified number of hostages, as confirmed by Sergeant Eric Celedon.
Authorities believe the suspect is equipped with an explosive device attached to his torso, as reported by Bakersfield Now.
In response, approximately a dozen police vehicles, including at least one tactical unit, converged on the scene Tuesday evening, KGET reported.
Images from the site reveal heavily armed police officers and FBI agents in tactical gear preparing to address the situation.
“What I can guarantee to the community right now is that every single resource is at this site’s disposal – SWAT team, bomb squad, K9 team, gang unit, drone team,” said Celedon, emphasizing the comprehensive response effort.
‘Every single asset we have to bring this to the safest conclusion is out here right now, not just ’cause that’s what the community needs, but that’s what you guys deserve.’
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives San Francisco Office said agency resources were also being sent to the city, as the FBI rushed to the scene.
By 5.30pm local time, crisis negotiators were able to get the suspect to surrender one of the hostages, he said.
The others inside the building remain ‘in good health’ as police and federal agents work together to try to resolve the situation.
A second hostage was then released later in the night.
A man believed to have a bomb strapped to his chest is holding at least one hostage at a Chase Bank in Bakersfield, California
Photos showed heavily armed police officers in tactical gear responding to the scene
Officers are actively negotiating with the bank robber, who had yet to make any demands
A California spokesperson for JPMorgan Chase said the company’s focus is ‘on the safety of everyone involved’ and is working with law enforcement, according to NBC News.
One witness who was inside the bank told how he was able to escape.
Freddy Arredondo said he noticed the man walk in, and interrupt him. ‘And he’s like, it’s a bad day to be at the bank.’
‘He starts telling me it’s my last day on Earth and everything, and I was like, “What are you talking about?”‘ the witness said of the robber.
‘And then he whips out a wire and he’s like, “Hey everybody, this is a bomb threat. I need everybody to get down.
‘And then so I started backing up and he’s all like, “Don’t move,” and so once he looks to the left again, I kept trying to walk back and he got mad and started yelling at me. So I didn’t want to stop moving, so I kept going backwards more and more.
‘And then some other people are on the right side are going up through the offices – and so when he pays attention to them, I just turned around and started running out, and that’s when he started screaming.
‘But when I did that, everybody else ran out too. So it sort of gave everybody a little more of a chance,’ Arredondo said.
FBI agents in tactical gear rushed to the scene on Tuesday
Authorities set up a perimeter and worked the scene as they tried to negotiate with the bank robber
At least one tactical vehicle was deployed to the scene in Bakersfield
Jacob Davidson, a live streamer known as Dad’s Gone Live, told NBC Bay Area he was a block away from the bank at his family’s tattoo shop when he started getting calls from his subscribers asking him about the bomb threat.
‘I went into the bank’s parking garage and watched the cops enter the back of the bank,’ Davidson recounted.
‘This is the biggest police presence I’ve ever seen in this town,’ he added. ‘Now, I’m watching them set up the trauma tents with the green, red and yellow tags, and black tags, too, along with a command center about a block away.’
Law enforcement agencies often proactively set up trauma tents – which are color-coded to help sort victims based on the severity of their injuries – just in case they become necessary in an emergency situation.
One witness called it the largest police presence he has ever seen in the city
Amid the crisis, evacuations were underway and streets in the nearby area were closed in the immediate area amid the threat. City Hall and police headquarters were also placed on locked down.
City officials said the public will not be able to access the city properties at this time.
‘We continue to closely monitor the situation unfolding in our city and remain concerned for the safety and well-being of everyone involved,’ Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh said in a statement Tuesday evening.
‘I am grateful for the swift response and ongoing dedication of the brave men and women of the Bakersfield Police Department, who continue to serve and protect our community,’ she continued. ‘I appreciate the collaboration and coordinated efforts of our law enforcement partners and other responding agencies.
‘Thank you to the many who have reached out in concern,’ Goh said. ‘The best way the public can help at this time is by avoiding the area and allowing law enforcement officers, negotiators and other trained professionals the space and opportunity to safely carry out their duties.
‘The Bakersfield Police Department will continue to provide updates as appropriate,’ she vowed. ‘We ask the community to keep those affected in their prayers.’
