Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Police shot and killed a suspect in a mall robbery Sunday and were searching for two other armed suspects they feared could be holding hostages, authorities said.
Sgt. John Pasquariello, a spokesman for the LAPD, said that "a brazen armed robbery" occurred about 5:15 p.m. in the suburban Woodland Hills mall. Police said cell phone calls made by customers indicated that the suspects may have taken several people hostage after trying to rob a Macy’s jewelry area.
"We are receiving cell phone calls from inside and outside from people who think their loved ones are in there," Pasquariello said.
Someone called 911 to tell authorities of the robbery and officers arrived within five minutes, police said. One suspect was immediately shot and killed, but two other suspects remain in the mall, Pasquariello said.
The mall was evacuated after the robbery attempt and SWAT teams were deployed to the scene. Authorities escorted employees and customers outside.
Police believed many customers and employees were hiding out in different parts of the mall, Pasquariello said.
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