LAS VEGAS–Two separate credit unions were hit by robberies yesterday, with a robber taking a teller as a hostage in one case, and a branch manager being struck by one of the eight suspects in the robbery in another case.
In Las Vegas, a man who robbed a credit union here took a teller as a hostage and then carjacked two other people has been arrested.
The suspect, whom police identified as William Ethridge, entered a branch of West Star FCU here around 5:20 p.m. PT and showed a gun. After getting approximately $19,000, he took a WSFCU teller as a hostage and then in the parking lot carjacked two people and took off in the stolen car with the two people inside, police said.
According to Las Vegas Police, once the suspect was in the car he ordered that he be driven to a Harley-Davidson dealership at Russell Road and Las Vegas Boulevard, saying he was going to buy a motorcycle. Once he arrived at the dealership, he let the other hostages go and went inside.
Just moments later, police said, the man was arrested. All three hostages were found safe.
Police said the suspect is looking at charges of robbery, kidnapping and larceny.
Eight Suspects Arrested
In Houston, meanwhile, eight robbery suspects are in custody after an hours long search in northwest Houston.
The eight suspects were allegedly involved in a robbery at a branch of First Community Credit Union here during which the branch manager was allegedly hit in the head by one of the suspects.
Investigators said all eight suspects fled, leading deputies in a chase up the Katy Freeway, according to KTRK.
For hours, police searched for two suspects at an apartment complex near I-10 and North Post Oak Boulevard, KTRK reported, while six other suspects were taken into custody before the SWAT situation, including two at the bank and four others following the chase.
According to police, several robbers dressed in hoodies stormed the credit union around 1:30 p.m. and were in and out of the branch in minutes.
Names of the suspects have not yet been released.