<TABLE cellSpacing=3 cols=2 width=600 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left width=600 colSpan=2><CENTER>[size=+3]Bandits still hold hostages near Monteverde[/size]</CENTER></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left width=300><CENTER>By the A.M. Costa Rica staff</CENTER>
A bungled bank robbery near the popular tourist resort of Monteverde became a standoff between police and the bandits, who held as many as 20 hostages.
Three persons died in the robbery attempt. All are believed to be members of the band that instigated the 3:30 p.m. attempt.
The scene is the Banco Nacional branch office in Santa Elena de Monteverde, some 3 kms. north and east of the popular tourist location.
The standoff continued through early Wednesday with no sign of a resolution.
A bank guard, Alvaro Castro, is credited with seeing the bandits approaching the bank. Castro himself suffered a bullet wound to the body. He hid and fled the one-story bank building about 9 p.m. He was being treated in Hospital México in San José.
A woman believed to have been customer also managed to get free, but she was more serious hurt with a bullet in the abdomen and was in the same hospital in delicate condition late Thursday.
The bank bandits came heavily armed and there were reports that they carried AK-47 military-style automatic rifles.
Two living bandits remained inside the bank building, and law enforcement officials said that their first concern were the hostages. The bandits were said to be demanding 20 million colons, some about $43,000, and safe conduct to free the bulk of the hostages. Included among the hostages were the bank manager, several employees and a cashier
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left width=300>identified as Nanci Ramírez Gómez. He sister, identified as Lady Ramírez Gómez, also was present in the bank at the time of the takeover and was reported to be seven months pregnant.
Two women, identified as foreigners in their 20s, managed to leave the bank or were set free. At least one was believed to be a tourist.
Of the two men who died in front of the bank, one was wearing camouflage in the style of a soldier. The second man was dressed in blue jeans and sneakers. Both came to the bank hooded. Their bodies remained on the sidewalk in front of the bank entrance most of the late afternoon and early evening. Both lay within three feet of each other on their backs. One appeared to have a weapon in his right hand.
The security guard credited with busting up the robbery suspected something suspicious was taking place, officials said based on incomplete reports. A second security guard joined in the firefight, killed two robbers and morally wounded a third, who died inside the bank.
A shootout put many holes in the front door and glass entryway of the bank and also in the windows of nearby businesses.
Castro, the security guard, fled the bank structure in full view of television cameras that showed him in a blood-drenched shirt taking care to avoid being seen by the bandits inside the building.
The entire drama was broadcast on Channel 7 Teletica and Channel 6 Repretel most of the evening. Repretel switched some favorite soap operas to an alternate frequency. Toward midnight spectators said that some five hostages had been released reducing the number inside the bank to about 11.
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source: www.amcostarica.com
A bungled bank robbery near the popular tourist resort of Monteverde became a standoff between police and the bandits, who held as many as 20 hostages.
Three persons died in the robbery attempt. All are believed to be members of the band that instigated the 3:30 p.m. attempt.
The scene is the Banco Nacional branch office in Santa Elena de Monteverde, some 3 kms. north and east of the popular tourist location.
The standoff continued through early Wednesday with no sign of a resolution.
A bank guard, Alvaro Castro, is credited with seeing the bandits approaching the bank. Castro himself suffered a bullet wound to the body. He hid and fled the one-story bank building about 9 p.m. He was being treated in Hospital México in San José.
A woman believed to have been customer also managed to get free, but she was more serious hurt with a bullet in the abdomen and was in the same hospital in delicate condition late Thursday.
The bank bandits came heavily armed and there were reports that they carried AK-47 military-style automatic rifles.
Two living bandits remained inside the bank building, and law enforcement officials said that their first concern were the hostages. The bandits were said to be demanding 20 million colons, some about $43,000, and safe conduct to free the bulk of the hostages. Included among the hostages were the bank manager, several employees and a cashier
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left width=300>identified as Nanci Ramírez Gómez. He sister, identified as Lady Ramírez Gómez, also was present in the bank at the time of the takeover and was reported to be seven months pregnant.
Two women, identified as foreigners in their 20s, managed to leave the bank or were set free. At least one was believed to be a tourist.
Of the two men who died in front of the bank, one was wearing camouflage in the style of a soldier. The second man was dressed in blue jeans and sneakers. Both came to the bank hooded. Their bodies remained on the sidewalk in front of the bank entrance most of the late afternoon and early evening. Both lay within three feet of each other on their backs. One appeared to have a weapon in his right hand.
The security guard credited with busting up the robbery suspected something suspicious was taking place, officials said based on incomplete reports. A second security guard joined in the firefight, killed two robbers and morally wounded a third, who died inside the bank.
A shootout put many holes in the front door and glass entryway of the bank and also in the windows of nearby businesses.
Castro, the security guard, fled the bank structure in full view of television cameras that showed him in a blood-drenched shirt taking care to avoid being seen by the bandits inside the building.
The entire drama was broadcast on Channel 7 Teletica and Channel 6 Repretel most of the evening. Repretel switched some favorite soap operas to an alternate frequency. Toward midnight spectators said that some five hostages had been released reducing the number inside the bank to about 11.
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source: www.amcostarica.com
