A hostage-taking at a Quebec bank ended peacefully early Saturday morning, after a Salaberry-de-Valleyfield man in his 50s surrendered to police.
The events began at 4:50 p.m. on Friday, March 8, when an employee alerted police by hitting a panic button inside a Caisse Desjardins bank on Alexandre Street in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield.
Sûreté du Québec spokesperson Stéphane Tremblay said no resources were spared to resolve the issue after it became known that a man, armed with a crossbow and knives, was holding several people hostage.
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After several hours, a first hostage was set free at 8:30 p.m. and three remaining hostages were let go at 10 p.m.
All four hostages were employees of the bank.
Tremblay said no one was injured during the incident.
The standoff, however, continued until 1:30 a.m., when the suspect surrendered himself peacefully to police.
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He was taken to hospital for a medical evaluation, but has since been released into police custody.
The suspect is expected to appear in court via teleconference later Saturday afternoon.
Tremblay said he could face charges of forcible confinement, uttering threats and possession of a weapon with a dangerous intent.
— With files from The Canadian Press
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