The Chief of Police Nora Young released a small statement in regards to the death on the third victim in the bank robbery today.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE —
Three Community Police Department officers have been placed on paid leave pending the results of an investigation into the shooting death of First National Bank employee Bob Carlyle. Carlyle died after being struck by a bullet fired by at least one of three Community police officers, who were returning fire from three men who were attempting to rob the bank.
"As police officers we strive to conduct our jobs with the utmost respect to community safety," said Police Chief Nora Young. "While it appears as though Mr. Carlyle's death was the result of a tragic accident that occurred in the midst of our officers' efforts to stop three robbers who had already murdered two civilians, it is important that we complete the vital and transparent process of determining what could have prevented this terrible circumstance."
The names of the other victims are still being withheld pending notification family members.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Updates on hostages
Our on-the-scene coorespondent Fast Freddie had a chance to speak with two of the hostages who were locked in the bank's vault all day.
The first one she spoke with was Soon Kwon, and she told us, 'It brings me great job to be released from the dark and miserable vault. I am thankful for the Community City Police Department and especially to those whose lives were sacrificed on this sad day.'
Ms. Kwon was very tired and still in a bit of shock and didn't have much to say other than that.
We were also able to speak with the local high school football star we were talking about earlier, Sharaf Jarrah. He told us that he didn't want to say much until he had spoken with the police and knew what he was supposed to do, but what he did say was, 'Today has been an incredibly trying day and I want nothing more than to put it behind me. I'll be ready to play football again next weekend.'
We are glad that they are all doing ok and that they will be able to go home to their families tonight.
The first one she spoke with was Soon Kwon, and she told us, 'It brings me great job to be released from the dark and miserable vault. I am thankful for the Community City Police Department and especially to those whose lives were sacrificed on this sad day.'
Ms. Kwon was very tired and still in a bit of shock and didn't have much to say other than that.
We were also able to speak with the local high school football star we were talking about earlier, Sharaf Jarrah. He told us that he didn't want to say much until he had spoken with the police and knew what he was supposed to do, but what he did say was, 'Today has been an incredibly trying day and I want nothing more than to put it behind me. I'll be ready to play football again next weekend.'
We are glad that they are all doing ok and that they will be able to go home to their families tonight.
Hostages finally get out of vault!
After an extremely long and harrowing day, the hostages for the Community Credit Union have been released from the vault they were locked in by the robbers.
The vault door was said to have malfunctioned because of bullets hitting the control panel during the gun fight between police officers and the suspects. But upon further investigation we found that the company who installed and manufactured the vault, Star Security Systems, has filed bankruptcy this week becuase of a federal court ruling against them in the law suits filed from other banks and businesses claiming the company has ignored the manufacturing and malfunitioning of the their products.
The victims had been communicating from inside the vault with cell phones keeping in contact with the local authorities, we also had contact with one of them and were able to find out news as it was happening.
The hostages have been led to their families who had been called out from the crowd earlier, to wait in a nearby restaurant for their release and to be let in on the situation.
The vault door was said to have malfunctioned because of bullets hitting the control panel during the gun fight between police officers and the suspects. But upon further investigation we found that the company who installed and manufactured the vault, Star Security Systems, has filed bankruptcy this week becuase of a federal court ruling against them in the law suits filed from other banks and businesses claiming the company has ignored the manufacturing and malfunitioning of the their products.
The victims had been communicating from inside the vault with cell phones keeping in contact with the local authorities, we also had contact with one of them and were able to find out news as it was happening.
The hostages have been led to their families who had been called out from the crowd earlier, to wait in a nearby restaurant for their release and to be let in on the situation.
Robbers past crimes
We looked into the backgrounds of the three robbers names in today's Community Credit Union fiasco.
Darrin Hume, Fred Lapidus and Ben Winslet were found guilty in January of robbing the diner during the breakfast rush.
They had entered the diner with ski masks and knives demanding everyone's money in the restaurant. They were later caught becuase of a car accident on the Community Island Bridge where Hume suffered a broken leg, Lapidus and Winslet both suffered concussions and minor lacerations.
They were sentenced to 15 years in prison by Judge Kristine Hubler.
As this new information comes to light we have to wonder how did these men get out of prison and why were they on the streets to cause my harm and do no good? We will keep you updated as more information comes our way in today's event.
Darrin Hume, Fred Lapidus and Ben Winslet were found guilty in January of robbing the diner during the breakfast rush.
They had entered the diner with ski masks and knives demanding everyone's money in the restaurant. They were later caught becuase of a car accident on the Community Island Bridge where Hume suffered a broken leg, Lapidus and Winslet both suffered concussions and minor lacerations.
They were sentenced to 15 years in prison by Judge Kristine Hubler.
As this new information comes to light we have to wonder how did these men get out of prison and why were they on the streets to cause my harm and do no good? We will keep you updated as more information comes our way in today's event.
Press Conference held for bank robbery
Nora Young, chief of police for the Community Police Department, just held a brief press conference in regards to the bank robbery at First Community Bank this afternoon.
The first thing she addressed was that the goal of any violent situation the police encounter is to bring the suspects in alive so that they can be "tried for their crimes", but the police arrived to a situation that was already out of hand with two dead victims and others in danger. The robbers names have been released and mug shots will be released later on tonight. Darrin Hume, age 44, Fred Lapidus, age 37and Ben Winslet, age 34 were the men who entered the bank in black ski masks with guns out and firing.
All three have previous records of violent crimes and the police are looking into any other help the men may have had on the sidelines.
Chief Young was questioned about when the hostages would be let free from the safe and she responded:
"Well, we had hoped to have them out by now, but we have been assured that it is only a matter of time."
She was also questioned on the information about the third victim who was killed and how it happened. All she would tell us is that "it is under investigation".
The first thing she addressed was that the goal of any violent situation the police encounter is to bring the suspects in alive so that they can be "tried for their crimes", but the police arrived to a situation that was already out of hand with two dead victims and others in danger. The robbers names have been released and mug shots will be released later on tonight. Darrin Hume, age 44, Fred Lapidus, age 37and Ben Winslet, age 34 were the men who entered the bank in black ski masks with guns out and firing.
All three have previous records of violent crimes and the police are looking into any other help the men may have had on the sidelines.
Chief Young was questioned about when the hostages would be let free from the safe and she responded:
"Well, we had hoped to have them out by now, but we have been assured that it is only a matter of time."
She was also questioned on the information about the third victim who was killed and how it happened. All she would tell us is that "it is under investigation".
Bank manager's family speaks out
Chuck Pace, First Community Bank Manager, was shot a killed this afternoon in a bank robbery. He was trying to help save the other employees and customer's when the robbers shot him.
Mr. Pace was the bank manager for 10 years but had worked for the bank for over 25 years starting out as a teller.
Mr. Pace is survived by a wife (Donna) and two children (Lloyd, 23 and Janice, 19). He was looking forward to becoming a grandfather in three months. He was an avid runner and a lover of mystery fiction who aspired to write his own novel once he retired from banking.
Mr. Pace was the bank manager for 10 years but had worked for the bank for over 25 years starting out as a teller.
Mr. Pace is survived by a wife (Donna) and two children (Lloyd, 23 and Janice, 19). He was looking forward to becoming a grandfather in three months. He was an avid runner and a lover of mystery fiction who aspired to write his own novel once he retired from banking.
Police officer put on "leave" pending investigation
According to our sources the third victim's name was Bob Carlyle, a teller at the bank that was robbed earlier today. He was hiding behind a counter when the robbery took place and was the first one to call 911 to alert them of the situation.
This information came to us from an annonymous tip and we have not been able to verify all the information, but our sources are very confident in the information they have found out.
Mr. Carlyle was supposedly shot by a police officer who thought that he was one of the robbers, and was taken to the hospital where he died just a little while ago from the gun shot wounds from the bank's fire fight.
The officer who shot his has been place on leave while the department runs their mandatory investigation into the situation. All of our sources are telling us that nobody believes this to have been anything more than a mistake and a bad case of "wrong place, wrong time".
This information came to us from an annonymous tip and we have not been able to verify all the information, but our sources are very confident in the information they have found out.
Mr. Carlyle was supposedly shot by a police officer who thought that he was one of the robbers, and was taken to the hospital where he died just a little while ago from the gun shot wounds from the bank's fire fight.
The officer who shot his has been place on leave while the department runs their mandatory investigation into the situation. All of our sources are telling us that nobody believes this to have been anything more than a mistake and a bad case of "wrong place, wrong time".
Third victim dies
The thrid gun shot victim from today's robbery has died from his wounds inflicted from the gun fire fight the police and the robbers were engaged in.
The victim's name has not been released and won't be until the next of kin has been notified.
The victim's name has not been released and won't be until the next of kin has been notified.
New statement from Police Department
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE —
Today at approximately 2 p.m., a team three masked men entered the First Community Bank at 15 S. Main Street and attempted to rob the bank. The Community Police Department arrived on the scene in time to trap the robbers inside the bank. The Department's SWAT team arrived shortly thereafter.
At the time of the SWAT team's arrival, the robbers had already killed two people inside the bank. After one of the robbers fired a shot out the bank window at police, on-scene commanders made the decision to move in on the robbers. In the ensuing gunfight, two robbers were killed and a third was mortally wounded. The third robber succumbed to his injuries en route to Community Valley Hospital. One civilian who was hiding under a counter at the bank was also injured in the gunfight; he was transported to Community Valley in stable condition. No other injuries were sustained by police or other civilians. However, the wall-mounted control panel for the bank's vault was damaged in the firefight and five people who were locked into the vault during the robbery have been trapped inside.
A technical team from the vault's manufacturer is expected to arrive on scene soon. Company officials have said it will take the team approximately one hour to get the vault open and have assured the department that there is enough oxygen in the air-tight vault to sustain the trapped victims until the vault is opened.
Family members of all of the trapped, injured and slain victims, as well as the robbers, have been notified. However, the department will not be releasing any names until the bereaved have time to make notifications within their own families.
The investigation is ongoing. The department will take no questions at this time and will release all future information through written press releases.
Today at approximately 2 p.m., a team three masked men entered the First Community Bank at 15 S. Main Street and attempted to rob the bank. The Community Police Department arrived on the scene in time to trap the robbers inside the bank. The Department's SWAT team arrived shortly thereafter.
At the time of the SWAT team's arrival, the robbers had already killed two people inside the bank. After one of the robbers fired a shot out the bank window at police, on-scene commanders made the decision to move in on the robbers. In the ensuing gunfight, two robbers were killed and a third was mortally wounded. The third robber succumbed to his injuries en route to Community Valley Hospital. One civilian who was hiding under a counter at the bank was also injured in the gunfight; he was transported to Community Valley in stable condition. No other injuries were sustained by police or other civilians. However, the wall-mounted control panel for the bank's vault was damaged in the firefight and five people who were locked into the vault during the robbery have been trapped inside.
A technical team from the vault's manufacturer is expected to arrive on scene soon. Company officials have said it will take the team approximately one hour to get the vault open and have assured the department that there is enough oxygen in the air-tight vault to sustain the trapped victims until the vault is opened.
Family members of all of the trapped, injured and slain victims, as well as the robbers, have been notified. However, the department will not be releasing any names until the bereaved have time to make notifications within their own families.
The investigation is ongoing. The department will take no questions at this time and will release all future information through written press releases.
Community High School football game cancelled
As we had suspected before, one of the hostages still locked inside the vault at Community Credit Union is local high school football star Sharaf Jarrah.
Jennifer Clementine, Community High School Athletic Director, has confirmed that the game tonight against Buxton High School has been cancelled and that's all she would say.
We were able to get a hold of Sharaf's father Omar Jarrah and this is what he had to say on behalf of his family:
'My family and I extend our deepest sympathies to the people who were killed in today's bank robbery. We have spoken to our son, Sharaf, and he is doing well, but is eager to be released from the safe.'
Hopefully the Start Security System's team will be able to figure out their malfunctioning safe and have the hostages released as soon as possible so that this day can end on a good note.
Jennifer Clementine, Community High School Athletic Director, has confirmed that the game tonight against Buxton High School has been cancelled and that's all she would say.
We were able to get a hold of Sharaf's father Omar Jarrah and this is what he had to say on behalf of his family:
'My family and I extend our deepest sympathies to the people who were killed in today's bank robbery. We have spoken to our son, Sharaf, and he is doing well, but is eager to be released from the safe.'
Hopefully the Start Security System's team will be able to figure out their malfunctioning safe and have the hostages released as soon as possible so that this day can end on a good note.
More family members called from the crowd
Police officers came out to the crowd outside the First Community Bank and asked for more family members to follow them out of the crowd. The names are John Parker, Jimmy Rodriguez, Mandy Straume, Soon Kwon and Sharaf Jarrah.
Earlier an officer came out and asked for the family members of three other people to come with them as well, and we still haven't any word as to why or what they talked about.
Officers took them into the back room of a nearby restaurant and that was the last we saw of any of them.
We also have some new information from the sports editor for the Communit Courier, Paul Delante. He states that one of the names that was announced to the crowd, Sharaf Jarrah, is a local high school football star and that he believes Sharaf to be one of the hostages still stuck inside the vault.
We are working on getting more information from local authorities and high school contacts.
Earlier an officer came out and asked for the family members of three other people to come with them as well, and we still haven't any word as to why or what they talked about.
Officers took them into the back room of a nearby restaurant and that was the last we saw of any of them.
We also have some new information from the sports editor for the Communit Courier, Paul Delante. He states that one of the names that was announced to the crowd, Sharaf Jarrah, is a local high school football star and that he believes Sharaf to be one of the hostages still stuck inside the vault.
We are working on getting more information from local authorities and high school contacts.
Star Security Systems fails again
A new development in the bank robbery from this afternoon is making the public wonder if the hostages who have been locked inside the bank vault all day could have been prevented.
Star Security Systems filed for federal bankruptcy on Monday of this week following a federal courts decision to issue a summary judegemtn against the company.
The cause behind the lawsuit? Well that would be several cases of the company failing to act on a well-known computer malfunction that has prevented the safe and consistent use of their vaults in banks.
Apparently the company officials for Star Security Systems promised to fix the problems, but the list of banks with problems is so long that they said it would be "several years" before all vaults would be fixed.
To remind you, there was a bank robbery earlier today and the hostages were forced into the bank's vault and they have been trapped in there ever since becuase of malfuntions in trying to open the vault door.
The suspects have been dealt with the robbery has been over for several hours now, but the hostages are still waiting to be let free and the company has said that they should have the hostages out within the hour.
Star Security Systems filed for federal bankruptcy on Monday of this week following a federal courts decision to issue a summary judegemtn against the company.
The cause behind the lawsuit? Well that would be several cases of the company failing to act on a well-known computer malfunction that has prevented the safe and consistent use of their vaults in banks.
Apparently the company officials for Star Security Systems promised to fix the problems, but the list of banks with problems is so long that they said it would be "several years" before all vaults would be fixed.
To remind you, there was a bank robbery earlier today and the hostages were forced into the bank's vault and they have been trapped in there ever since becuase of malfuntions in trying to open the vault door.
The suspects have been dealt with the robbery has been over for several hours now, but the hostages are still waiting to be let free and the company has said that they should have the hostages out within the hour.
Star Security Systems Statement
We have just been given this statement put out by the vault manufacturing company Star Security Systems, the company who manufactured the vault inside First Community Bank.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE —
Star Security Systems (S3) has dispatched a team of technicians to fix a vault in which several people were trapped during an armed robbery of the First Community Bank. The team is expected to arrive no later than 6 p.m. and company officials believe that the vault will be opened by 7 p.m.
S3's vaults are air-tight, but the company believes that the people trapped inside the vault will have enough oxygen to last at least through the remainder of the evening.
"S3 is committed to providing excellent customer service to our customers, no matter how unusual the situation might be," said company President Marge Jacobsen. "We are confident that all people stuck inside our vault will be returned to their families soon."
The company will not be answering any further questions at this time.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE —
Star Security Systems (S3) has dispatched a team of technicians to fix a vault in which several people were trapped during an armed robbery of the First Community Bank. The team is expected to arrive no later than 6 p.m. and company officials believe that the vault will be opened by 7 p.m.
S3's vaults are air-tight, but the company believes that the people trapped inside the vault will have enough oxygen to last at least through the remainder of the evening.
"S3 is committed to providing excellent customer service to our customers, no matter how unusual the situation might be," said company President Marge Jacobsen. "We are confident that all people stuck inside our vault will be returned to their families soon."
The company will not be answering any further questions at this time.
Hostages family members called from crowd.
Our reporter, Fast Freddie, at the scene of the bank robbery has just told us that a police officer came out the crowd in front of the bank and said that he needed the family members of the following three people to follow him:
Chuck Pace, Jenny Locke, and Bob Carlyle. The officer did not state why he needed them and gave no other explanation to the crowd. The family members came out of the crowd and were taken to the back room of a nearby restaurant.
We also talked to a witness of the robbers entering the bank, Alice Angelo. She was leaving the bank as they were entering. She states, 'There were three of them and they were wearing black ski masks. Each one was holding a gun — two of them had shot guns and the other one had a pistol. I heard one of them scream: "Everybody put your hands up!" and then I got out of there as fast as I could and called the police.'
We are still working on finding out why the police officer pulled those particular family members out of the crowd and will report back to you as soon as we do.
Chuck Pace, Jenny Locke, and Bob Carlyle. The officer did not state why he needed them and gave no other explanation to the crowd. The family members came out of the crowd and were taken to the back room of a nearby restaurant.
We also talked to a witness of the robbers entering the bank, Alice Angelo. She was leaving the bank as they were entering. She states, 'There were three of them and they were wearing black ski masks. Each one was holding a gun — two of them had shot guns and the other one had a pistol. I heard one of them scream: "Everybody put your hands up!" and then I got out of there as fast as I could and called the police.'
We are still working on finding out why the police officer pulled those particular family members out of the crowd and will report back to you as soon as we do.
Police report updates us on status of vault
Earlier we told you about the hostages still being stuck in the First Community Bank vault even after the robbers had been "contained" and the threat seemed to be over. The police department has just now released a statement letting the public know that there seems to be a malfunction in the vault wiring probably because of the gun fight authorities engaged in with the robbers.
Because of this malfunction the vault's manufacturer Star Security Systems has dispatched a team of techinicians, but they aren't expected to be at the bank until 6pm. Because of the long wait, the police department is reaching out to any locksmiths or other citizens who believe they would be of some help opening up the vault so that the hostages can finally be released.
Because of this malfunction the vault's manufacturer Star Security Systems has dispatched a team of techinicians, but they aren't expected to be at the bank until 6pm. Because of the long wait, the police department is reaching out to any locksmiths or other citizens who believe they would be of some help opening up the vault so that the hostages can finally be released.
Live report from the scene of bank robbery
One of our correspondents Fast Freddie has made it to the scene of the bank robbery that took place this afternoon at 2:00.
"It's pretty chaotic. Witnesses tell me that ambulances were here to take at least two people away just a few minutes after all the shooting, but no one seems to know who was inside." States Fast Freddie, "The coroner's truck is down here and there are a lot of police inside and outside the building, but I can't get anybody in a uniform to answer any questions. There is a big crowd gathering, though, and it seems like there were a lot of witnesses."
Fast Freddie was able to speak to an employee of The Mad Monkey Deli directly across the street from the bank and found it if he had any other news or information that had not come to light yet. Johnny Springfield told us exclusievly, "'I heard shots — two of them, real loud — and I came over to the window and could see from there at least three people in the bank holding shotguns. I stayed low down and just kept peeking up to see what was going on and then the police cars all started arriving." He also told us that SWAT arrived shortly after and all became something like a movie with all the commotion and fast movements by officials.
Fast Freddie was also able to talk to the wife of one of the hostages who has not been able to get ahold of, or heard from, her husband. Angela Parker told us that she dropped her husband off at the bank while she went to run another errand and when she got back the police and SWAT was there and she has no idea what is going on.
"It's pretty chaotic. Witnesses tell me that ambulances were here to take at least two people away just a few minutes after all the shooting, but no one seems to know who was inside." States Fast Freddie, "The coroner's truck is down here and there are a lot of police inside and outside the building, but I can't get anybody in a uniform to answer any questions. There is a big crowd gathering, though, and it seems like there were a lot of witnesses."
Fast Freddie was able to speak to an employee of The Mad Monkey Deli directly across the street from the bank and found it if he had any other news or information that had not come to light yet. Johnny Springfield told us exclusievly, "'I heard shots — two of them, real loud — and I came over to the window and could see from there at least three people in the bank holding shotguns. I stayed low down and just kept peeking up to see what was going on and then the police cars all started arriving." He also told us that SWAT arrived shortly after and all became something like a movie with all the commotion and fast movements by officials.
Fast Freddie was also able to talk to the wife of one of the hostages who has not been able to get ahold of, or heard from, her husband. Angela Parker told us that she dropped her husband off at the bank while she went to run another errand and when she got back the police and SWAT was there and she has no idea what is going on.
"We're still locked in!"
Our hostage from inside the bank, Jimmy Rodriguez, called us again at 3:00 wondering what was going on. The hostages were still locked inside the vault and they were begining to get very uncomfortable and hot. The others who had been on the phone withh 911 had told the rest of the hostages that the bank manager had apparently pushed a "security button" that locks the vault before he was shot and they were now stuck inside until it could be unlocked.
We don't know how much more we will be able to get out of him because he stated that his phone was losing battery power. We will update you as soon as we know more as to the status of the hostages inside the vault and the two bank employees who were shot before being locked outside of the vault.
We don't know how much more we will be able to get out of him because he stated that his phone was losing battery power. We will update you as soon as we know more as to the status of the hostages inside the vault and the two bank employees who were shot before being locked outside of the vault.
Police Statement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE —
Today at approximately 2 p.m., a team of men entered the First Community Bank at 15 S. Main Street and attempted to rob the bank. The Community Police Department arrived on the scene in time to trap the robbers inside the bank. The Department's SWAT team arrived shortly thereafter.
At this time, all of the robbers are thought to be dead.
The investigation is ongoing. The department will take no questions at this time and will release all future information through written press releases.
Today at approximately 2 p.m., a team of men entered the First Community Bank at 15 S. Main Street and attempted to rob the bank. The Community Police Department arrived on the scene in time to trap the robbers inside the bank. The Department's SWAT team arrived shortly thereafter.
At this time, all of the robbers are thought to be dead.
The investigation is ongoing. The department will take no questions at this time and will release all future information through written press releases.
Hostages forced into vault witnessed shootings.
We received a frantic phone call from Jimmy Rodriguez, a hostage in the First Community Bank robbery, stating that he was calling from inside the bank's vault and that they were forced to get in by the robbers.
Jimmy states that they were three, maybe four, robbers and that they came in to the bank with guns and told everyone to "move to the back". The robbers made the bank manager open the vault, but when he struggled they shot him in front of everyone. As soon as shots erupted a woman, a bank employee, started screaming and the robbers then shot her to make her be quiet.
Once they shot the woman they locked the other hostages inside the vault where they have no idea if the two victims are dead or alive and they have no idea what is going on inside the bank anymore. He states that two of the hostages inside the vault are on the phone with 911 and that he had to go because more shots were being fired as he spoke.
Jimmy states that they were three, maybe four, robbers and that they came in to the bank with guns and told everyone to "move to the back". The robbers made the bank manager open the vault, but when he struggled they shot him in front of everyone. As soon as shots erupted a woman, a bank employee, started screaming and the robbers then shot her to make her be quiet.
Once they shot the woman they locked the other hostages inside the vault where they have no idea if the two victims are dead or alive and they have no idea what is going on inside the bank anymore. He states that two of the hostages inside the vault are on the phone with 911 and that he had to go because more shots were being fired as he spoke.
First Community Bank has a 10-41
At 2:05 a call was put out to all officers and the SWAT team to immediately respond to a "10-41", which is code for bank robbery, at the First Community Bank on 15 South Main Street.
Three minutes later at 2:08 another call was put out announcing that shots had been fired and SWAT was still going to be another five minutes.
We tried to contact Amber Reyes, Community Police Department spokeswoman, but we got sent straight to voicemail.
Three minutes later at 2:08 another call was put out announcing that shots had been fired and SWAT was still going to be another five minutes.
We tried to contact Amber Reyes, Community Police Department spokeswoman, but we got sent straight to voicemail.
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