Dramatic moment armed cops take down ‘shotgun-wielding suspect’ and rescue terrified hostage at Coral bookmakers after four people were taken captive in three-hour stand-off
A suspect has been arrested after allegedly taking four hostages and attempting daring escape through from front of the shop
A SHOTGUN-wielding man tries to flee a Coral bookies after allegedly taking four hostages, these dramatic pictures reveal.
The hat-wearing suspect, 39, emerges from the bookmakers in Jarrow, Tyne & Wear, after the armed hold-up on Sunday night.
Double-barrelled shotgun in hand, the man pokes his head around the shop door before making an ill-fated escape attempt.
He is later pictured bundled to the floor of the shop by brave officers before being taken away into custody.
Dramatic videos earlier showed cops train their weapons on the shop front after four hostages were taken in a robbery gone wrong.
Onlookers had reported hearing gunshots as several cops stormed the bookies.
Police negotiators talked the gunman into releasing three of his four hostages earlier.
The remaining hostage appeared to be released shortly before the botched escape attempt.
A man was later arrested after Northumbria Police brought the siege to an end just before 9pm.
Dame Vera Baird QC, the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, confirmed the suspect had been carrying a shotgun
She tweeted: “All hostages free as Jarrow siege ends. Told: he had loaded sawn-off, but arrested without police use of firearms. Well done & glad all safe.”
A further Northumbria Police statement read: “A police issue ‘less lethal weapon’ was discharged during the incident in order to bring this matter to safe conclusion – this was the ‘shots’ that people may have heard.”
The force had earlier confirmed to The Sun that the situation was ongoing after they were called to the shop at 5.45pm today.
Its statement read: “One person is believed to be still inside the premises with him and we are working to get this person out safely.”
One local told the : “We heard a commotion going on, which was the police officers shouting.
“It looks as if there’s been one member of staff released so far.”
Local radio station Metro Radio reported an armed man had taken a hostage at the Viking Shopping Centre bookies following a failed robbery.
Newspaper could be seen taped to the front windows in a bid to prevent cops seeing into the store.
Several police cars were pictured blocking off roads leading to scene while dozens of local residents flocked onto the streets around the stand-off.
Officers said “there is no threat to the wider public”.