• Sweden edition

Man held after Stockholm bank drama

Published: 2 Jul 10 13:03 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/27568/20100702/

A man was arrested after police stormed a branch of Handelsbanken on Östermalmstorg in central Stockholm shortly before 2.30pm on Friday bringing an end to a hostage drama and suspected attempted robbery.

"The perpetrator has been arrested and no one has been hurt," said Kjell Lindgren at Stockholm police to news agency TT.

According to the TT reporter at the scene the perpetrator was covered with a blanket as he was escorted from the building to be driven away in a police vehicle.

Police used so-called diversion grenades when they entered the building.

The man was not reported to be carrying a firearm, but he was threatening and screamed at bank staff when he entered the bank, Lindgren said.

Police received reports at 11.31am on Friday that the man had entered the building and was holding a customer and bank personnel hostage.

"We tried at first to negotiate with him but then the moment arrived when we decided to go in."

TT/The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

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14:30 July 2, 2010 by duncs
I just watched this in person. 20 swat officers stormed he bank and unleashed about 10-15 stun grenades. Very interesting to see it unfold!
14:39 July 2, 2010 by this_aint_sparta
But now @ 14:30 both the swat and the robbers are having Fika with the bank employees and also they are presenting some flowers and a small gift to one of the employees who is going for papa ledig for six months, they will resume the precedings @ 15:00
15:09 July 2, 2010 by Kevin Harris
After sitting through "10-15 stun grenades" everyone involved is going to very deaf for quite a while. Those things really do go BANG in a very big way. Better deaf than dead though I suppose. Well done The Local for doing a breaking story.
15:51 July 2, 2010 by hjoian
why did they need stun grenades for an unarmed man?Are 20 swedish swat officers not capable of dealing with one perp?
16:09 July 2, 2010 by J Jack
scandalsbanken.
17:26 July 2, 2010 by mikmak
@hjolan Yeah they should have sent in one guy with a baton to ask if the guy was unarmed first...sheesh
22:04 July 2, 2010 by Skallywag
My brother in law works actually at that bank and really some of the childish comments here (J kack, mikmak and this aint_sparta) are just downright annoying. I wonder how you guys would feel if a member of your family was involved in something like this and then someone posted commenst like yours.

Think before you write silly comments and be a tad more sensitive and grow up and if you are already grown up, then grow up a little more.
22:32 July 2, 2010 by dizzymoe33
I am just glad that no one was hurt and they caught the bad guy.
23:02 July 2, 2010 by Skallywag
@dizzymoe33

My sentiments exactly and that is the most important thing at the end of the day. No one was hurt and the person who perpetrated the act was indeed apprehended.
23:41 July 2, 2010 by Jay02
Since this happened in Ostermalmstorg i guess the perp must be a blue eyed blonde 100% Svenska? Just using the 'normal' prejudice people have ..like if a crime happens in Sodertalje it must be an 'Iraqi' etc.
07:19 July 3, 2010 by Nachos
Thanks for the lesson/joke, Jay. People use statistics to judge these things though. Not "normal prejudice."
08:36 July 3, 2010 by flintis
@Jay02

More likely an immigrant criminal type Stureplan wannabee trying to finance his extravagant lifestyle & drughabits.
06:04 July 4, 2010 by logi
crime is increasing by the day in sweden the police should be on the look out.
08:40 July 5, 2010 by dobermann
''Since this happened in Ostermalmstorg i guess the perp must be a blue eyed blonde 100% Svenska? Just using the 'normal' prejudice people have ..like if a crime happens in Sodertalje it must be an 'Iraqi' etc. ''

As I saw a photo in another news site, the robber was white and he should fit in to your description:)
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