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Saturday 8 May 2021

Wannabe bank robber who held up a Wells Fargo bank WITHOUT a firearm is charged after eight-hour standoff which saw hundreds gather and cheer as five hostages were released and wads of CASH were thrown out the door

 A Minnesota man has been hit with a slew of charges after he held five people hostage inside a bank on Thursday.

Ray R. McNeary, 35, was charged with first-degree aggravated robbery and  five counts of kidnapping and assault on Friday - one day after the eight-hour siege which took place inside a Wells Fargo in St. Cloud.  

Judge Nathaniel Welte rescheduled McNeary's  bail hearing from Friday to Monday after the accused was 'uncooperative and refused to appear for court'. He will be held over the weekend.

Police said Friday that no firearm was found on McNeary or at the scene.  

However, Wells Fargo spokeswoman Staci Schiller had said Thursday that the suspect had 'some sort of weapon'. Police did not respond to an Associated Press request for further information. 

McNeary was arrested in the Wells Fargo bank after FBI agents stormed the building shortly after 10pm on Thursday. 

A female hostage is seen running from the bank with her hands in the air after being held inside for nearly five hours on Thursday

A female hostage is seen running from the bank with her hands in the air after being held inside for nearly five hours on Thursday

Local police, an FBI tactical team and a crisis negotiation team attempted to persuade McNeary to release the hostages

Local police, an FBI tactical team and a crisis negotiation team attempted to persuade McNeary to release the hostages

Over the course of the standoff, a large crowd had gathered near the bank and cheered each time a hostage emerged

Over the course of the standoff, a large crowd had gathered near the bank and cheered each time a hostage emerged

Law enforcement officers began negotiating with McNeary more than eight hours earlier after a robbery at the bank was reported.

McNeary - who has a lengthy rap sheet - reportedly became enraged about a transaction inside the branch about 1.45pm. An alarm button was pushed and other customers fled the store, leaving just five bank employees inside. 

Local police, an FBI tactical team and a crisis negotiation team attempted to persuade McNeary to release the hostages. 


The first hostage, a woman, was freed around 6pm and ran to officers with her hands raised in the air.

Seconds later someone appeared to open the bank's front door and bizarrely threw a wad of cash outside. 

A few minutes later, a second woman emerged and was led away. Then, just before 8pm, a male bank employee emerged unharmed. A fourth person, a woman, walked out minutes later.

Over the course of the standoff, a large crowd had gathered near the bank and cheered each time a hostage emerged.

Just before 8pm, a male bank employee emerged unharmed  from the Wells Fargo bank

Just before 8pm, a male bank employee emerged unharmed  from the Wells Fargo bank

FBI agents dramatically storm bank where man held hostages
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Police lead McNeary away from the Wells Fargo branch following the standoff

Police lead McNeary away from the Wells Fargo branch following the standoff

The final hostage was freed about 10:15 pm, before officers stormed the Wells Fargo and arrested McNeary without incident. 

At a subsequent press conference, St. Cloud Police Chief Blair Anderson said McNeary was known to authorities before the hostage situation.

'We have had numerous contacts with this individual dating back at least a decade, including violent crime,' Anderson said.

Criminal records reveal McNeary has previously been charged for disorderly conduct, trespassing, terroristic threats, and domestic assault. 

He also has a felony conviction and multiple misdemeanor convictions. 

McNeary was known to authorities before the hostage situation and has a lengthy rap sheet. He is seen in a past mugshot

McNeary was known to authorities before the hostage situation and has a lengthy rap sheet. He is seen in a past mugshot 

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