Apple Store hostage situation ends after hostage escapes, and police hit the suspect with a car

Photo by LAURENS BOSCH/ANP/AFP via Getty Images

A man in camouflage gear and a balaclava held a person hostage at an Apple store in Amsterdam for several hours before he was arrested. The customer from outside the Netherlands was the hostage.

The hostage was seated next to the suspect with his hands behind his back. Four people hid in a closet in the store, but the suspect didn't know they were there. The store is located in Leidseplein, a busy area in the city center with many people around, some of whom live-streamed footage as the hostage situation continues. Dozens of other people were inside when the incident began, but they were able to escape before things ended.

A hostage ran out of the store when the suspect was close behind, after a standoff with police that lasted until 10:45PM. Police on the scene hit the suspect with an armored BMW X5 after he ran away. Police sent over a robot to check for explosives as the suspect lay motionless on the ground.

According to the police, the suspect sent selfies and other photos to AT5 during the incident that appeared to show him wearing a bomb vest. Amsterdam newspaper Het Parool reported that police said the hostage-taker requested water which was brought into to the store by a robot. The hostage ran for safety.

According to the police, their strategy was to negotiate with the suspect. At some point, he demanded 200 million in coins and safe passage away from the Apple Store. The police did not give a reason for the incident. According to Het Parool, the police commander pointed out that the suspect's gear was not in line with plans to attempt a robbery.

Verdachte is een 27-jarige Amsterdammer die gedurende de avond ook contact met at5 zocht. Legde een eis neer van 200 miljoen in crypto’s en een vrije uitgeleide, dreigde zichzelf op te blazen. Gegijzelde volgens de driehoek vermoedelijk een klant.

— Ronald Olsthoorn (@RonaldOlsthoorn) February 22, 2022