Foiled robbery hostage situation at Amsterdam Apple Store is over

Posted:
in General Discussion edited February 2022
An armed robbery of the Amsterdam Apple Store led to a man being held at gunpoint as a hostage.




At approximately 6 p.m. CET (12 p.m. eastern), early reports claimed two men in balaclavas left the Apple Store in Leidseplein, Amsterdam. On attempting to leave the store, the situation escalated after they spotted nearby police.

One man then grabbed a bystander and took them hostage as they went back into the store, reports Het Parool. Footage published to social media show one of the men holding the hostage around the neck and waving around a handgun.

Witnesses claim shots have been fired nearby. According to AT5, police tweeted confirmation that a firearm was involved, and that many specialist units were dealing with the situation.

The Royal Marechaussee, the national gendarmerie of the Netherlands, is also on-site.



More police have arrived at the scene, including members of the Special Intervention Service (DSI), a tactical police unit, to tend to the situation.

Police have cordoned off the area, with traffic stopped and people in nearby buildings prevented from leaving due to the risk of attack. While members of the public were moved away from the area, there are thought to be around 70 people in the De Balie theater and cafe next to the Apple Store, with occupants kept to rooms towards the rear for safety.

Een freaking Bearcat richting de Apple Store! pic.twitter.com/wlfZwBZJaF

-- Mascha de Jong (@maschadejong)


Amsterdam police tweeted it is reluctant to provide information about the situation, so as to not disrupt efforts at the store. It also requested local residents and employees in the area to stay indoors.

A later tweet, at 7:42 pm CET, had the Amsterdam police asking people with a view of the Apple Store to "exercise restraint in publishing images or live streams," citing safety concerns.

Two Apple Store employees who were in upper floors of the store at the time told De Telegraaf they were shocked, but all staff successfully left the building. One of the employees said in a translated comment "I left America for this kind of bullshit. And now I'm in the middle of it."

Police officials, the Public Prosecution Service, and representatives of the mayor, including Deputy mayor Rutger Groot Wassink and police commander Frank Paauw, have gathered to discuss the situation at the police headquarters.

Around 4:25 p.m. Eastern Time, Dutch police in Amsterdam said that 'dozens' of people were able to safely leave the Apple Store. They are being collected by police and bussed to a separate location to give witness statements.

As of 4:45 p.m. Eastern Time, Amsterdam's police department said that the hostage is safe and the suspect is currently in police custody. Investigations into the hostage taker are currently ongoing, though authorities said they weren't able to provide an update on his condition.

Since the end of the incident, more details have emerged. The man was demanding 200 million Euro in cryptocurrency to not set off explosives that he said he was wearing.

The hostage asked for water. When it was delivered, he escaped, and the hostage-taker fled.

#BREAKING: Hostage runs from Apple Store in Amsterdam while being chased by hostage-taker, who is then run over by police #Amsterdam #leidseplein #gijzeling #news #Hostage#BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/X8WIRdjnMJ

— JUST IN | World (@justinbroadcast)
The perpetrator was then hit by a police car, and is presently hospitalized.

"We want to thank local law enforcement for their exceptional work and ongoing investigation," Apple said in a statement about the situation. "Our teams and customers took swift action and showed incredible strength and resolve today, and we are so thankful for the support and care they've shown each other under such challenging circumstances."

It's unclear whether Apple's spokesperson meant that the company itself was conducting an investigation. However, local law enforcement officers were reportedly searching the store following the resolution of the situation.

Read on AppleInsider

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 7
    DAalsethDAalseth Posts: 2,974member
    I left America for this kind of bullshit. And now I'm in the middle of it.
    Line of the year. 
    viclauyycradarthekatMittythtFileMakerFellerwatto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 7
    If you were in America though the police would shot everyone dead....as if that really fixes the issue at hand. 
    DAalsethronnwatto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 7
    It turns out there was only one hostage taker, who said he was wearing explosives and threatened to blow up the building and kill the hostage if his demands were not met. He demanded 200 million Euro in crypto currency and free passage. It doesn't look like he intended to rob the store, but the goal was collecting this randsom.
    When the hostage was picking up water (left at the door by a police robot), he ran away. The hostage taker ran after him, only to be ran over by a police car. He is now in hospital, severely wounded. Seriously, why would anyone think you could get away with stuff like this.. They were never going to let him walk. Good job by the police and other involved services, but a lot of credit goes to the hostage, who had the courage to run away and made it possible to end this situation. 
    ravnorodommichelb76watto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 7
    <snip>
    but a lot of credit goes to the hostage, who had the courage to run away and made it possible to end this situation. 

    MINSTREL: Brave Sir Robin ran away

    ROBIN: No!

    MINSTREL (singing): Bravely ran away away

    ROBIN: I didn't!

    MINSTREL (singing): When danger reared its ugly head, He bravely turned his tail and fled

    ROBIN: No!

    MINSTREL (singing): Yes Brave Sir Robin turned about

    ROBIN: I didn't!

    MINSTREL (singing): And gallantly he chickened out Bravely taking to his feet

    ROBIN: I never did!

    MINSTREL (singing): He beat a very brave retreat

    ROBIN: Oh, lie!

    MINSTREL (singing): Bravest of the brave Sir Robin

    (https://montycasinos.com/montypython/scripts/bravesir.php.html)

  • Reply 5 of 7
    hriw-annon@xs4all.nl[email protected] Posts: 61unconfirmed, member
    The Apple Store windows have some serious glass. It took four bullets and none went through. One of the bullets is reportedly still stuck in the glass.
    https://media.at5.nl/images/483146.bc27185.jpg?width=1600&ratio=16:9&quality=90

    Apparently the loony demanded 200 million in crypto.
    A few hours in the gunman asked for water, the police sent a robot with water to the door. He sent his hostage to get it, but the hostage ran, he chased him out of the store and a police car hit him to the ground. While he was down a robot was sent to check for explosives on his body.

    edited February 2022 ravnorodomwatto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 7
    hriw-annon@xs4all.nl[email protected] Posts: 61unconfirmed, member
    Gunman getting hit by police car while chasing the hostage.


    edited February 2022
  • Reply 7 of 7
    "We want to thank local law enforcement for their exceptional work and ongoing investigation," Apple said in a statement about the situation. "Our teams and customers took swift action and showed incredible strength and resolve today, and we are so thankful for the support and care they've shown each other under such challenging circumstances."
    It's unclear whether Apple's spokesperson meant that the company itself was conducting an investigation. 
    It’s hard to imagine how they could have made it more clear that it was the police doing the investigating. 

    If someone says “thank you for your hard work and dedication” do you wonder if they were referring to their own dedication?
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