OAK RIDGE, Tenn.—The Oak Ridge branch of Y-12 CU reopened Thursday and CEO Mark Ziegler—two days after being kidnapped in an alleged attempted robbery of the CU—was back on the job as well.
On Tuesday, authorities reported that Ziegler and his family were held hostage in their home as part of an attempted robbery and extortion plot. Authorities here are looking for three suspects—two men and a woman—who have been accused of bank robbery, kidnapping and extortion. The FBI, the Oak Ridge Police Department and the Knox County Sherriff’s Office are all involved.
According to the FBI, at approximately 8:15 Tuesday morning, Ziegler and his family were confronted at their home in West Knoxville by the three suspects as part of an attempt to obtain money from the credit union’s Oak Ridge, Tenn. branch. According to the FBI, the family members were released about 9:25 a.m. in the parking lot of Gettysvue Country Club, which is four miles north of the Ziegler's home. Local media reported that forensic technicians were on site at the home throughout the day.
Additional details regarding events that unfolded Tuesday morning can be found here.
The Oak Ridge branch of Y-12 Credit Union office was shuttered Tuesday following the robbery attempt. The branch was also locked down with no employees allowed to exit the building while the investigation was taking place.
Chris Smith, vice president of marketing for the $780-million Y-12, told CUToday.info that employees reported to work Wednesday at the Oak Ridge branch, although the office was closed, and that the office was open to members Thursday.
Smith called Ziegler, his family, and the staff “resilient.”
“We are getting back to normal as quickly as we can,” Smith told CUToday.info, adding that Ziegler’s family is doing well. “We can’t brag on our staff enough, for how they handled the situation. Under very stressful conditions they followed policies and procedures to the letter. That, and the authorities swift reaction, have been bright spots in an otherwise dark moment.”