Nfter about six hours, an armed robbery in a computer shop in the center of Amsterdam has ended with the taking of hostages. The hostage was safe and the perpetrator was overpowered, the police said on Tuesday evening. The arrested man managed to escape and the hostage-taker followed him. In front of the building he had been overpowered by the police. Dozens of people had previously been released from the store, also unharmed.
According to police information, an armed man attacked the Apple Store around 5:40 p.m. and took a hostage. Images and videos were shared on social media of a man in a camouflage suit inside the store threatening another unarmed man with a gun. Eyewitnesses also reported in the media that they had heard several shots.
Police squads were quickly on the spot. The Leidseplein was cleared and cordoned off, theaters and cafes on the square were closed. Armored vehicles, heavily armed special forces and helicopters were deployed for hours.