Bank Robbers at Large After Strapping Bomb to Kidnapped Teller

A bank teller was kidnapped early today from his home by robbers who strapped a suspected bomb to his chest and used him to steal money from a Bank of America branch near the University of Miami, according to the FBI. The suspected explosive device was safely removed after the incident—mistakenly reported at first as a hostage situation—and the teller was brought out of the bank shortly before noon. The device remained in the bank at midday and authorities were working to detonate it, a police department rep said.

The incident began early Friday with a home invasion at a suburban apartment complex where the bank teller lived, said an FBI spokeswoman. She said three suspects later took the teller to the Coral Gables bank, used him to steal an undetermined amount of cash and then made a getaway in a stolen red Ford Mustang. Police are questioning the teller and investigating whether he was involved in the crime or just a victim. (More Florida stories.)