Downtown Bakersfield ground to a halt Tuesday afternoon after a man barricaded himself inside a Chase Bank branch, officials said, following a reported bomb threat that sent police racing to the scene. An unknown number of people were believed to be inside the bank as officers set up a wide security perimeter and nearby city buildings went into lockdown.
Standoff Unfolds After Reported Bomb Threat
Officers were dispatched to the bank around 1 p.m. after a call about a bomb threat, Sgt. Eric Celedon told the ABC affiliate 23ABC, according to AP News. Authorities described the situation as fluid and had not released the suspect’s identity or confirmed how many people were inside the branch.
Bank and City Officials Lock Down Core Buildings
JPMorgan Chase spokesman Peter Kelley said the bank was coordinating closely with law enforcement and that its “focus is on the safety of everyone involved,” in a statement to WFTV. City Hall North, City Hall South, the Development Services Building and the Bakersfield Police headquarters were among the municipal properties placed on lockdown as officers worked to secure the area.
Heavy Police Presence Locks Down Downtown
Media reports described roughly a dozen police cars, a single tactical vehicle and multiple emergency responders surrounding the bank as officers pushed people back, set a perimeter and evacuated nearby storefronts, according to AP News. Police urged the public to steer clear of the area while investigators and specialized units assessed the reported threat.
Bomb Threats at Banks Not New to Region
Bomb threats at banks are sometimes used to stage robberies or simply sow chaos, and not every claim of explosives turns out to be real. On New Year’s Eve in Turlock, a suspect who claimed to have a bomb at a bank was arrested after investigators found no explosive device, according to a report on a fake bomb threat at a Turlock bank. Law enforcement typically responds to such reports with bomb squads and tactical teams until a scene is fully cleared.
Where Officials Say to Find Reliable Updates
By the time of this report, city and police officials had not released additional information about the suspect, any potential hostages or the status of the reported device. Residents looking for verified updates were directed to the Bakersfield Police Department website and local broadcasters. The department’s public information and media inquiry page carries its latest notices and advisories as new details are cleared for release.
