Police lead Ray Reco McNeary away from the Wells Fargo branch following a standoff of more than eight hours Thursday May 6, 2021, in St. Cloud, Minn. McNeary was disgruntled about a prior transaction, according to St. Cloud, police Chief Blair Anderson. (Dave Schwarz/St. Cloud Times via AP).
The Associated Press
ST. CLOUD, Minn. (AP) - A man accused of holding five employees hostage at a Minnesota bank following a dispute was captured and arrested after an hourslong standoff, police said.
No one was physically injured Thursday at a Wells Fargo branch in St. Cloud, police Chief Blair Anderson said at a late-night news conference.
The branch manager called police just around 1:45 p.m. because he was concerned about the safety of those inside the bank during the dispute, Anderson said.
The suspect, Ray Reco McNeary, 35, was disgruntled about a prior transaction, according to the chief.
Anderson said many people had already run out of the bank by the time officers arrived, but five employees were held hostage.
'œI can tell you that some employees were released by the suspect, and some flat out ran for the door,'ť Anderson said. 'œThe last hostage that was being held took his chance and made a run for the door.'ť
Anderson said that's when tactical units from the police department and FBI ran in and took the suspect into custody without incident. The chief said McNeary had asked police to call the FBI, and the federal agency was called and responded to the scene.
McNeary was known to authorities before Thursday's hostage situation. 'œWe have had numerous contacts with this individual dating back at least a decade, including violent crime,'ť Anderson said.
It was unclear whether the suspect was armed during the hostage situation. The chief said investigators were continuing to sweep the bank for evidence.
McNeary was booked into the Stearns County Jail. Online records did not state whether he had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.
'œWe recognize this is a traumatic moment for the community and our colleagues,'ť Wells Fargo said in a statement. Company spokesperson Staci Schiller said bank officials are cooperating with local law enforcement and will do whatever they can to assist the authorities.
SWAT team officers respond to the scene of a reported hostage situation at the Wells Fargo branch Thursday May 6, 2021, in south St. Cloud, Minn. Police in Minnesota were on the scene Thursday of a reported bank robbery with hostages. (Dave Schwarz/St. Cloud Times via AP)
The Associated Press
Officers gather near an entrance at the Wells Fargo branch Thursday May 6, 2021, in south St. Cloud, Minn. Police in Minnesota were on the scene Thursday of a reported bank robbery with hostages.(Dave Schwarz/St. Cloud Times via AP)
The Associated Press
Officers stand near an entrance to the Wells Fargo branch Thursday May 6, 2021, in south St. Cloud, Minn. following a reported hostage situation. Police in Minnesota were on the scene Thursday of a reported bank robbery with hostages. (Dave Schwarz/St. Cloud Times via AP)
The Associated Press
People gather in a nearby parking lot as officers surround the Wells Fargo branch Thursday May 6, 2021, in south St. Cloud, Minn. Police in Minnesota were on the scene Thursday of a reported bank robbery with hostages. (Dave Schwarz/St. Cloud Times via AP)
The Associated Press
Law enforcement officers gather near the entrance of a Wells Fargo Bank branch Thursday, May 6, 2021, in St. Cloud, Minn. A standoff between police and a suspected hostage-taker continued into the evening Thursday despite the release of four bank employees. (Dave Schwarz/St. Cloud Times via AP)
The Associated Press
People watch the scene at the Wells Fargo Bank branch Thursday, May 6, 2021, in St. Cloud, Minn. A standoff between Minnesota police and a suspected hostage-taker continued into the evening Thursday despite the release of four bank employees. (Dave Schwarz/St. Cloud Times via AP)
The Associated Press