An armed suspect was holding one or more people hostage during a bank robbery in Rockford, Illinois, Friday, leading to an hours-long standoff with police.
The Rockford Police Department said the robbery at Heritage Credit Union started around 2:30 p.m.
As of 9 p.m. Friday the situation was still unfolding.
Reports say a bank manager might be among the captives, along with at least one employee and possibly customers, but the exact number of hostages was not known.
There was no word on whether anyone was injured.
The bank is located at the intersection of two of the city’s busiest thoroughfares.
The Chicago office of the FBI was said to be offering assistance.
A SWAT team was on the scene along with a crisis negotiation team, according to reports by the Chicago Tribune and local station WTVO-TV.
Rockford police shut down all roads to vehicle traffic in the immediate area, according to reports.
The bank is located at the corner of East State Street and South Mulford Road in Rockford.
The area is brimming with small businesses, shopping plazas, pubs and fast-food restaurants. There are also several other banks in the vicinity, including a Chase Bank that sits catercorner from the Heritage location.
— This is a developing story. Please return to AJC.com for updates.
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