View Comments
Ray Reco McNeary, 35, has been charged with one felony count of first-degree aggravated robbery, five felony counts of kidnapping with a non-firearm weapon and one felony count of second-degree, non-firearm assault with a dangerous weapon.
The kidnapping charges reflect that three of the victims were released in a safe place, according to a Stearns County Attorney s Office release, and that two were not.
No gun was located on McNeary or at the bank, according to St. Cloud police.
Court records show a hearing was held Friday afternoon, but Judge Nathaniel Welte continued the bail hearing to Monday morning, according to a Stearns County Attorney s Office release, when McNeary was uncooperative and refused to appear for court.
Hereâs how the St. Cloud Wells Fargo hostage situation unfolded
The suspect has been arrested and all five hostages are safe.
Author: A peaceful resolution, the best outcome we could have today, St. Cloud Police Chief Blair Anderson said at a press conference late Thursday, noting no one was hurt.
Anderson said the manager at the bank at 200 33rd Ave. S called 911 at 1:48 p.m. because there was a customer the suspect who was disgruntled about a prior transaction with the bank. The manager was worried about people s safety. We don t know anything more specific about what that dispute was, Anderson noted.
Peaceful resolution : Hourslong hostage situation at Wells Fargo bank in Minnesota ends with arrest, authorities say Anna Haecherl and Erik Newland, St. Cloud Times
AP Top Stories May 7
Replay Video UP NEXT
ST. CLOUD, Minn. After an hourslong standoff Thursday, a hostage situation at a Wells Fargo bank in Minnesota ended without any injuries and an arrest, authorities said. A peaceful resolution, the best outcome we could have today, said St. Cloud Police Chief Blair Anderson said at a news conference late Thursday.
Anderson described the suspect, identified as Ray Reco McNeary, as a disgruntled customer upset about a prior transaction. The branch manager called the police, Anderson said, and a short time later police received a panic alarm from the bank.
Suspect in St. Cloud bank standoff charged with kidnapping, robbery
Court documents say the five bank employees were pushed, threatened and told they would be killed during the long ordeal. Ray Reco McNeary is not accused of having a firearm, but is said to have threatened to stab one employee with scissors, according to the criminal complaint.
Written By:
Kirsti Marohn / MPR News | 5:06 pm, May 7, 2021 ×
A hostage leaves a Wells Fargo bank in St. Cloud, Minn., on Thursday, May 6, 2021. (Paul Middlestaedt for MPR News)
ST. CLOUD, Minn. A 35-year-old St. Cloud man faces seven felony charges in connection with a nearly nine-hour standoff Thursday, May 6, at a Wells Fargo bank in St. Cloud, Minn., during which five bank employees were held against their will.