UPDATE AT 6 P.M. JULY 26: 13 Action News spoke to the Harley-Davidson employee who encountered William Ethridge moments after police said he robbed a credit union and took three people hostage.
"He asked me how much a motorcycle was ... and said you know what I'm going to buy me a cool helmet also," said employee Eric Ruffin.
Ruffin said Ethridge shopped around for a motorcycle before police came into the store to arrest him.
"I was like oh my god what did I let into the store," Ruffin said. "They found him on a motorcycle and he didn't even flinch."
According to police, it only took two minutes for units to respond to the bank robbery, which was still enough time for Etheridge to take 3 people hostage.
13 Action News Crime and Safety Expert and retired Las Vegas police Lt. Randy Sutton said hostage situations are very rare.
"The best thing to do is cooperate," Sutton said. "If there is an avenue of escape that you can do so safely then absolutely do it."
Ethridge is being held at the Henderson Jail awaiting federal charges.
UPDATE AT 11:30 P.M. JULY 25: Police have identified the suspect as William Ethridge. They released several surveillance images of the man Tuesday night. In the pictures, a gun is clearly visible in his hand.
ORIGINAL: A bank robbery suspect took a teller as a hostage and carjacked two other people Tuesday evening.
Around 5:20 p.m., Las Vegas police said a man, approximately 50 years old, entered the West Star Federal Credit Union at 110 E. Harmon Avenue, near Audrie Street, and brandished a gun.
After robbing the bank, he took a teller as a hostage on his way out. Once in the parking lot, police said he carjacked two people and drove off in the stolen car.
Police said once the suspect was in the car, he asked them to take them to the Harley-Davidson at Russell Road and Las Vegas Boulevard to buy a motorcycle. Once they arrived at the Harley-Davidson, the suspect let the hostages go and went inside the store.
Police confirmed to 13 Action News at 6:35 p.m. that all three hostages are safe. Minutes later, police confirmed the suspect was taken into custody.
The suspect is looking at charges of robbery, kidnapping and larceny once he is booked. Police called it a "very unusual case."
Police gave more details in the Facebook Live below.
This is a developing story. Check back to 13 Action News for updates.
