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ANAHEIM, Calif. (May 9, 2024) – Anaheim Police Officers rescue a hostage and arrest a bank robbery suspect after a standoff.
On Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at approximately 4:40 p.m., Anaheim Police Officers responded to the BMO Bank located on the 4500 block of E. La Palma Ave. regarding a bank robbery in progress. Upon Officers’ arrival, they discovered the suspect, 53-year-old Eric Gray, had taken several of the bank employees hostage during the commission of the robbery and ultimately barricaded himself inside a room with one of the bank’s employees. During the incident, Gray claimed he was armed with a gun and took an undisclosed amount of cash from the bank.
Personnel from Anaheim Police Department’s Tactical Response Group, which includes the Department’s SWAT Team and Tactical Negotiation Unit, responded to assist Patrol Officers. After an hour-long standoff, SWAT Officers were able to intervene, rescuing the victim and arresting Gray. An undisclosed amount of cash was recovered, and no weapon was located. No one was injured as a result of the incident.
Gray was arrested for several offenses, including robbery, kidnapping, false imprisonment, and a parole violation, and was ultimately booked into Orange County Jail.
“I am incredibly proud of the professionalism, restraint, and compassion of our Officers as they risked their lives to bring this volatile incident to a safe resolution, stated Anaheim Police Chief Rick P. Armendariz. “This incident is just one example of the exceptional work done every day by the men and women of the Anaheim Police Department to ensure Anaheim is a safe community to live, work, and play.”
Anaheim Police Detectives are asking anyone with information about this incident to call the Robbery-Major Assaults Detail at 714-765-1460 or contact Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS or www.occrimestoppers.org.
