Bank hold up at WDW?

[Maistre Gracey]

Not sure if this is accurate, but I just heard a news blurb that the Mercantile Bank is being held up by two gunmen. They have hostages, and the bank is surrounded by a SWAT team.

I'm not certain where the Mercantile Bank is. I'm not even certain I heard the whole story correctly, so take it with a grain of salt...

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

A possible sigh of relief. I am now reading that the hold up is a mile from WDW.

For crying out loud... If the hold up is not at WDW, why mention WDW at all in the report? Is the news trying to give Disney a black eye?

MG

 

[G8RFAN]

It's right next to the former Splendid China

 

[pippy27]

I live right near there...and 192 is closed in the area of the bank, and traffic has been a mess all day. This began at around 9:30 and it is still going on now.

 

[raidermatt]

If the hold up is not at WDW, why mention WDW at all in the report? Is the news trying to give Disney a black eye?

Given how well known a landmark WDW is, I think its reasonable to say it happened nearby, especially as a reference point for those who might not be familiar with the area other than WDW. If something similar happened close to the Empire State Building or the Lincoln Memorial, for example, I'd expect that to be mentioned.

 

[JimMIA]

According to news reports, there are two robbers -- a man and a woman -- and they have released two hostages, but still have at least one. They released one hostage in return for cigarettes, and the other in return for the SWAT team moving back to give them some space. On the last release, one of the robbers apparently moved their car to in front of the bank, which is not a good sign...especially in a situation that has been going on all day.

Hopefully it will work out, but the SWAT team will not let the robbers leave -- especially if they try to take a hostage with them.

 

[ztbz]

The Bank is about 2 miles from Disney's Animal Kingdom, Sherbert Road which is a road that goes into Animal Kingdom was Closed for most of the Day and cause Huge Backups on the roadways into the DAK and the AK Lodge resort.

By the way the SWAT Team took out one of the Robbers and arrested the other, all the Hostages were released or rescue safely.

 

[Disney Gator]

I'm sure this had a pretty big impact on WDW. I was trying to get to work at the Yacht/Beach Club today and 192 was shut down. I had to take the scenic route around to the north side of the property by MK and come in that way. As I was on my way home a little while ago they still had the area where the shootout happened cordoned off.

 

[Danaans]

I dont think it was the news media's intent to give Disney a black eye, however, when I iniatally heard the report, I assumed that it was in the bank located at MK. Later on, I realized it was not....

 

[emememem]

Turns out the girl lives in our apartment complex....I use to see her at the bus stop with her daughter....wonder what happened?

 

[mitros]

We were on site the day of the robbery, headed for the AKL for supper. There were deputies everywhere re-directing traffic from various Disney exits away from 192. As everyone knows by now, the male member of the robbery team was killed by the SWAT team. I guess he will never rob another bank, or commit any other type of crime for that matter.

 

[jw2736]

As one of the many law enforcement officers on scene that day, and one who was re-directing traffic around the site, I have to tell you locals to become familiar with the roads around your home. I can understand tourists not knowing thier way around a roadblock, but if you live here, you should know alternate routes to and from work. I can mention Avalon Road or that hwy 27 does indeed cross I-4 towards WDW as other ways of getting around. For those of you not near WDW, you too should learn other ways around your towns.

And from a cops point of view, When we are in the middle of a road on a traffic stop or in this case, a road block, and aiming shot guns, its not a good time to stop and ask for directions. OK off my soapbox. But in the end, all good guys and girls alive, one bad guy dead, the other facing several years in prison.

 

[Betty X]

I was at WDW when this happened. From what I remember, on the news it was reported that the same couple had robbed the same bank in November 2005. The man who was shot (and killed)was a Celebration business person. I believe there were 2 bank robberies in the Kissimmee area when I was in Orlando from Jan 8-14. Kinda scary.