BREAKING: Hostage Situation at McDonalds in Lakeland Ends; Suspect in Custody
LAKELAND: Three males suspects were arrested following a standoff at the South Frontage Road / County Line Rd McDonald’s in Lakeland, Florida.
The incident began in Brandon at about 7:30 a.m after deputies spotted the stolen car at 1608 Ladora Drive in Brandon, Hillsborough just before 7:30 a.m. A pursuit followed and ended in Lakeland, with the suspects crashing at the South Frontage Road / Countyline McDonald’s.
After crashing the vehicle, the suspects tried to carjack someone at the drive-thru window. A McDonald’s employee tried to close the window but the suspects jumped inside.
Multiple law enforcement agencies and SWAT teams rushed to the scene. Both of the on and off-ramps from I-4 at County Line Road were shut down for over 3 hours. Once on the scene, deputies said one of three suspects surrendered himself, leaving two others inside.
McDonald’s employees were held hostage inside the restaurant, before finally being released.
Once deputies were confident no hostages were left inside, they went into the McDonald’s. It appeared the suspects were hiding between the drop ceiling tiles and the roof. Deputies began to lift the tiles to find them. One suspect came down and surrendered. Deputies then deployed a flash bang device and the other suspect revealed himself.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies found two firearms.
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