HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. -- Three carjacking suspects are in custody after a standoff with several law enforcement agencies at a McDonalds in eastern Hillsborough County.
Three Suspects from McDonalds Standoff Transported to Polk County Sheriff's Office Jail. #lkld pic.twitter.com/w9LbUXHaVE
— LakelandPD (@LakelandPD) October 9, 2016
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office say that a carjacking happened at 1608 Ladora Drive with no reported injuries, which led to officials locating the vehicle on I-4 trying to flee to Polk County. The car crashed on Frontage Rd. near McDonald's.
One suspect attempted to carjack customers in line but was scared off because that customer had a gun. The suspects then crawled inside of McDonald's through the drive-thru window around 8:11 AM, leading to a possible hostage situation.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, the hostage situation reported on social media was falsified and authorities are questioning the person who made the false postings. The person was not in the restaurant during the incident.
One suspect surrendered and walked out with the McDonald's employees. Two more suspects hid in the ceiling of the restaurant.
After the hostage situation was deemed false, the SWAT team used flash bang grenades to get the remaining two suspects to surrender.
So far investigators found two guns.
Investigators with Lakeland Police say they aren't sure what, if any charges the hostage hoaxer might face but they are looking into it.
#Wtsp HCSO says suspects stole black charger from Brandon area. pic.twitter.com/3aWwyke091
— MarcusGraysonWTSP (@10NewsMarcus) October 8, 2016
#Wtsp Deputies say suspect got into McDonalds thru the drive thru window. pic.twitter.com/2w8Y7txP9P
— MarcusGraysonWTSP (@10NewsMarcus) October 8, 2016
#Wtsp at least one suspect gave himself up. Gee says 2 may be still inside. pic.twitter.com/Zlei7l7xmH
— MarcusGraysonWTSP (@10NewsMarcus) October 8, 2016
#Wtsp Gee says they believe to have the suspects in the perimeter. But aren't sure if they are still inside. pic.twitter.com/Bt0vwcyZu0
— MarcusGraysonWTSP (@10NewsMarcus) October 8, 2016
#Wtsp Gee says the suspects appear to be from the Orlando area. pic.twitter.com/uTQj4V7M49
— MarcusGraysonWTSP (@10NewsMarcus) October 8, 2016
#Wtsp he says the suspects ran into woods and then inside McDonalds pic.twitter.com/mF3x5wwopO
— MarcusGraysonWTSP (@10NewsMarcus) October 8, 2016
#Wtsp Larry Tedder says he was inside McDonalds when the suspects came pic.twitter.com/0j6pZGPRrt
— MarcusGraysonWTSP (@10NewsMarcus) October 8, 2016