Man arrested, accused of robbing a bank and kidnapping an employee, according to Lake City Police

LAKE CITY, Fla. — The Lake City Police Department said a man robbed Ameris Bank on Southwest Bentley Place and kidnapped a bank employee Wednesday morning.

The suspect, Demarcus Daniels, is accused of hiding in the bushes outside the bank as employees opened the doors.

Police say Daniels then jumped out of the bushed and held one of the employees at gunpoint. Daniels then forced the employee inside the bank and made the employee give him money, according to police.

Once Daniels got the money, he grabbed an employee, made her leave the bank with him and attempted to take her car, police said. Daniels ran away from the area after the employee did not have her keys with her.

The Police Department said Daniels was wearing dark jeans, a black hoodie and a white surgical mask when he left the bank. A witness noticed Daniels hiding behind a nearby dumpster and called police. Police said they found Daniels behind the dumpster where he had barricaded himself inside the fenced-in dumpster. Police said a sergeant was able to use a stun gun through a small opening in the fence. Daniels was then arrested, according to police.

The Police Department said a loaded firearm and a duffle bag with cash in it was next to Daniels behind the dumpster.

He faces charges of armed robbery, kidnapping, attempted carjacking, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, giving a false name to law enforcement, and resisting arrest. He also faces an attempted escape charge after getting away from officers and trying to open the gate securing the Sally Port, according to police. He was not successful in escaping, and he is being held without bond. Police say he will be transferred to a federal holding facility.

No serious injuries were reported, and all of the money was returned to the bank, according to police.

The Lake City Police Department released this statement from the police chief:

“Thanks to a quick and coordinated response, the Lake City Police Department was able to safely apprehend and arrest this dangerous subject,” said Lake City Police Chief Argatha Gilmore. “By barricading himself in a small enclosed area with a loaded firearm, this could easily have become a deadly force situation. Instead, their response brought him into custody without any injuries, and he is now behind bars where he belongs.”

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