Bakersfield bank robber with bombs strapped to him still barricaded with hostages as FBI takes over

A bank robber who claimed he had bombs strapped to his body is still holding hostages at a Chase Bank in Bakersfield on Wednesday morning.Police managed to coax the suspect into releasing two hostages with negotiators communicating with him over the phone, but it remains unclear how many he still had.When the man barricaded himself inside on Tuesday, several people were still in the Chase Bank.Some of the people inside the building were able to flee.No injuries have been reported.

The Bakersfield Police Department released a statement around 6 p.m.Tuesday night saying that “an adult male subject had barricaded himself inside the building with several community members.”But no arrests have been made, they said, and their Crisis Negotiation Team is still speaking with the suspect.

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Tuesday, police provided another update saying they had negotiated the release of a second hostage.“We remain on scene at the Chase Bank building and have negotiated the release of a second hostage,” police said.“There are currently no injuries reported.

Avoid the area as this remains an active scene.We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.”The FBI has assumed “SWAT operations,” according to the New York Times.

FBI Sacramento stated its intention to “support the response” overnight.Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh previously said she is closely monitoring the situation.“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,” she said in a statement.Police said they received a call about a bomb threat inside the bank on...