OAK RIDGE, Tenn.–The CEO of Y-12 Credit Union and his family were reportedly held hostage in their home today as part of an attempted robbery and extortion plot.
Authorities here are looking for three suspects 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 this morning Mark Ziegler, CEO of the $780-million Y-12, 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.
The credit union said its main office will remain closed today.
Authorities are searching for two men and a woman, although no descriptions were given.
The credit union branch was also locked down with no employees allowed to exit the building while the investigation was taking place.
A live video report of the story can be found on WKRN-TV’s website here.
The Y-12 Credit Union robbery attempt follows allegations of a similar hostage-taking robbery at Achieve Financial Credit Union in Connecticut in February. In that case CFO Matthew Yussman has alleged that he was confronted in his home by robbers who forced him to wear a bomb vest and drive to his credit union to get money. Yussman called the credit union’s CEO, and police intervened before any money was ever stolen. Yussman escaped unhurt; the alleged robbers remain on the loose and no arrests have been made. That investigation is ongoing.
CUToday has coverage of that story here along with a related interview here on whether such home abduction/robberies might be a growing threat here.