Gunman has demanded a vehicle, which will not happen per officials.
1 hostage released, 4 hostages held.
Gunman holds five hostage in bank during police standoff
The Associated Press
http://www.bakersfield.com/state_wire/story/5857011p-5872278c.html
EXETER, Calif. (AP) - An armed man took at least five people hostage in a bank during a standoff with police Wednesday night, as officers outside negotiated with him.
A Tulare County Sheriff's Department SWAT team and police officers surrounded the Bank of America branch in downtown Exeter late Wednesday and evacuated neighboring businesses.
The man entered the bank around 5 p.m. and demanded money, authorities said. He then took at least five people hostage after employees alerted police to the attempted robbery.
The suspect released one hostage during the standoff; at least four women remained inside.
Authorities could not say whether the man had a gun, but did say he was armed with some type of weapon.
Sheriff's spokeswoman Sgt. Chris Douglass said some of the hostages have been able to speak with family members.
Authorities said the man has demanded a car and negotiations were continuing.