Tag Archives: five hostages

Pearland police are negotiating with two armed robbers who entered a Chase Bank in Pearland this morning and are holding at least five hostages.

At least one person, the bank’s manager, was injured when he was struck by one of the robbers, police said.

We’re trying to resolve the situation peacefully,” said Pearland Police Lt. Onesmio Lopez.

More than 50 police officers, assisted by the FBI, have surrounded the bank, 1915 N. Main St., and sealed off surrounding streets. It’s unclear how many hostages are inside, Lopez said.

Cecilia Hernandez, a salesperson at a nearby Payless, was in her store this morning when she heard five gunshots.

“When I turned, I saw a guy running. I saw him running real fast, and then saw the cop cars coming. He was about to cross when a cop in a truck came and ran towards him and pushed him to the ground,” Hernandez said.

“I saw two (suspects) that police pushed to the ground. Right now they still have the bank surrounded all over.’’

Angelica Martinez, a manager at a nearby Church’s Chicken, said as of noon, at least two people had come out of the bank and were being interviewed by police in the

parking lot of Taqueria Arandas. Pearland and League City police were on the scene as well as several undercover officers, she said.

“We have our doors closed and they’ve blocked it off so no customers can come through,” she said.

A desk clerk at a nearby Best Western, who declined to give her name, said she has heard four gunshots and saw “cops running everywhere and some are hiding behind cars.”

FBI Special Agent Patricia Villafranca said agents were on their way to assist Pearland Police Department. “We’re on our way to assist, but they are the lead agency,” she said.