OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Two suspected bank robbers are behind bars, after a frightening afternoon for workers at an Overland Park bank. The FBI and SWAT teams stormed in to rush those workers to safety.
“It was a pretty scary situation for everyone involved,” Overland Park Police information officer Gary Mason said.
It started after a witness spotted two men running into Bank of America with guns. Police say the men held up workers and demanded money. A teller obeyed the demands and the two ran off.
Police arrested them soon after, but officers weren’t sure if there were more suspects inside holding employees and customers hostage.
“We were still trying to make contact with people inside. We were unable to do that for various reasons,” Mason said.
Following protocol, police stood with guns drawn outside the bank. For more than an hour, several customers and employees remained on the floor inside.
“I’m sure they were just waiting for police to come and tell them everything was okay,” Mason said.
Tactical teams made their way inside, and minutes later, employees and customers emerged with tears flowing down their faces. A crowd outside cheered, happy to see them safe.
Police went inside to search for sings of any more robbers but they didn’t find any and gave the all clear. Two robbery suspects are in custody and police recovered all the cash.
Two people were hurt, but police say they’re pleased the robbery didn’t escalate, and everyone’s out alive.