A hostage situation in Coral Gables, Florida is now over. Three suspects are on the loose after successfully completing a robbery at a Florida Bank of America that sounds lifted from the script of a Hollywood screenplay.
Early Friday morning, Diego Uscamayta was allegedly kidnapped and forced to rob the bank that he worked at with an explosive device strapped to him in a vest, according to the FBI. The device has been removed from the man’s body successfully and the bomb squad is analyzing it. The incident captured the early morning headlines and caused the U.S. 1 to close for several hours, causing major traffic jams.
According to FBI spokeswoman Judy Orihuela, three suspects invaded the home of the bank teller. The robbers then used the man to steal money from the bank. The suspects escaped the scene in a stolen red Ford Mustang. Police are still questioning the teller and investigating whether he was involved in the crime in any way.
The suspects are facing major charges. Both kidnapping and bank robbery are serious felonies. For example, a conviction of a federal charge of kidnapping can carry up to life in prison, with the possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty if anyone dies. A conviction of a federal charge of bank robbery can carry a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. In practice, as prosecutors can hit defendants with multiple charges, the suspects will be facing decades in prison if apprehended.
Related Resources:
- US Code - Section 2113: Bank robbery and incidental crimes (FindLaw)
- US Code - Section 1201: Kidnapping (FindLaw)
- Suspect in SunTrust Bank Robberies Caught (FindLaw’s Blotter)
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