Saginaw Township Police officers outside of the Mercantile Bank in Saginaw Township, Michigan, during a hostage situation (WJRT)
Authorities used an unconventional tactic to draw a suspect out during a hostage standoff at a Michigan bank last week.
When a 31-year-old man walked into Mercantile Bank in Saganaw Township, Michigan, on Friday at about 5 p.m. and took an employee hostage, authorities responded in numbers. The man, later revealed to be Quinton Marquese Allen, had reportedly assaulted the victim, who has not been named. He also had a weapon, though it was not a gun, Michigan State Police Lt. Kim Vetter said.
As local police departments and the Michigan State Police arrived with SWAT-like vehicles and assault rifles, authorities hatched a new plan.
Vetter told local outlet WNEM that law enforcement used a drone to lower a red Faygo soda in a bag near the window where Allen was in the bank.
Allen had requested the drink while negotiating with law enforcement, MLive reported.
Recognizing the drink, Allen moved, giving authorities a view of him through the glass of the building. A state police trooper then shot and killed him, neutralizing the threat.
After the suspect was shot, the victim exited the bank and was brought to a nearby hospital for treatment; she was released later that night. The hostage situation reportedly lasted for about four hours. In a video taken by local sources, police could be seen blocking off the areas around the bank while citizens looked on.
When Allen entered the bank earlier in the evening, wishing to cash a check, the bank was already closed, according to MLive. However, at least one employee was still inside, and when this employee told Allen she could not cash his check — because it was fraudulent – he “attacked her and demanded money,” Vetter is paraphrased as saying.
Mercantile Bank released a statement later that night, thanking authorities and announcing the branch would be closed indefinitely.
“This evening, an incident occurred at our Saginaw, MI location involving a hostage situation,” the bank wrote on social media. “Thanks to the swift and professional response of local and state law enforcement, the situation was resolved. All Mercantile Bank employees are safe, and there is no ongoing threat to the public.”
