Bank Heist Goes Bad Results in Three Dead and Hostages Taken
The quiet and peaceful tourist
area of Santa Elena, in Monteverde de Puntarenas, was broken yesterday
with a daring attempt to rob the local branch of the Banco Nacional,
that left at least three dead some 19 hostages in the balance.
The attack came a 3:20pm, minutes before the bak was to close for
the day.
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One
of the assailants lies dead,
shot by alert guards, in
front of the bank he and his
group tried to rob. Foto: Al Día |
The day was like the others, quiet and peaceful in this rural community,
when a Toyota Hilux pick up truck pulled up and five people, wearing
masks and heavily armed, got out and stormed the bank - the only bank in
town. The bank had been robbed in the past.
Police say the assailants have been studying the movements of the bank
for some time, since they knew exactly when the right to time hit and
knowing full well the security measures of the bank.
However, it seems, that things didn't go as planned. According to
witnesses, the men, wearing ski masks and heavy firearms, alerted the
guards who immediately fired against the group. Two of the assailants
was shot dead in front of the bank, while a third, wounded, made his
entry to the bank and took those inside hostage, firing his weapon to
scare the hostages into submission. A third person was later discovered
dead inside the bank.
Within moments of the news of the assault spreading, the small town
became deserted as nearby shops closed and people took refuge in their
homes, as police managed the situation.
The call was made to San José where the Seguridad Pública dispatched by
helicopter as special team trained to deal with hostage situations, as
well as the locals agents of the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ)
were on the scene in minutes.
As of 7am this morning, several hostages were still being held inside as
police continue negotiations.
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