This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/usa/362048-hostage-florida-tampa-mcdonalds/

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Police respond to possible hostage situation at McDonald's branch in Florida 3 carjacking suspects in custody after McDonald’s standoff in Florida
(about 20 hours later)
Over 100 officers are at the scene of a possible hostage situation at a McDonalds franchise in Lakeland, Florida. There may be up to three armed male suspects involved and one hostage, according to authorities. Three carjacking suspects are in custody after a lengthy standoff with police at a McDonald’s in Lakeland, Florida, which was earlier treated as a possible hostage situation.
However, police say it is also possible that the person claiming to be a hostage is actually one of the suspects. Over 100 law enforcement officers from multiple agencies were deployed at the scene of a McDonald’s franchise after armed carjacking suspects trying to escape police fled inside.
It’s been reported the situation developed after suspects ran into the fast food restaurant following an alleged armed carjacking. The Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office helped employees escape through the drive-thru window. Police managed to arrest one of the suspects at that time, but believed a hostage may have still been in the premises.
The carjacking reportedly happened at 1608 Ladora Drive in Brandon, Hillsborough just before 7:30 a.m. Sheriff David Gee told media at a Saturday press briefing, when the situation was still ongoing, that police were in contact with one person inside, but could not confirm if they were a suspect or hostage.
A suspect, or suspects, fled from deputies eastbound into Polk County. They stopped at the McDonalds on the South Frontage road and ran inside, the Sheriff's Office said, according to The Tampa Bay Times. Police later determined that the person, who had contacted them through social media, was not inside the building.
People reportedly fled the McDonald's in Lakeland, Polk County, when the suspects entered. “He had nothing to do with it, he apparently just took an opportunity on social media, which took a lot of time of day, and it put some lives in danger, cost the taxpayers a ton of money, and it caused you to stand out here a lot longer than you would have had to,” Sheriff Gee told local media. The man is expected to face charges.
Deputies then entered the building and found the two remaining suspects hiding between the drop ceiling tiles and the roof.
Speaking to media close to the scene, the sheriff’s office said three suspects are believed to be involved in the incident and are understood to be armed with guns. Only two are thought to be still inside the restaurant. They also discovered two guns – one in the McDonald’s and another in the stolen vehicle.
At one point, police helped employees escape through a window and apprehended one of the suspects at that time. The incident unfolded after an armed carjacking at 1608 Ladora Drive in Brandon, Hillsborough just before 7:30 a.m. The suspects fled from deputies eastbound into Polk County and stopped at the McDonalds on South Frontage road just after 8 am.
The sheriff's office said they've been in contact with a person who claims to be a hostage, but have not yet confirmed if this person is actually a hostage or one of the suspects. They ran inside after unsuccessfully attempting another carjacking on the grounds, according to the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office said.
However, Hillsborough Sheriff David Gee added there is a possibility the suspects got out before police arrived. The Florida Highway Patrol shut down the Interstate 4 exit ramp to County Line Road while the authorities were carrying out their investigation, which included the involvement of multiple law enforcement agencies, a SWAT team, and a robot.
No employees are believed to have been injured in the incident. No employees were injured in the incident. The three suspects were taken to Polk County Sheriff’s Office jail. It is not yet clear what charges they will face.
The sheriff's office are leading the investigation with assistance from other law enforcement agencies.
The sheriff says the suspects are believed to be from Orlando.
One hundred law enforcement officers, from multiple agencies, have been deployed at the County Line Road in Lakeland, Polk County. 
Police are also using a robot which has cleared some nearby buildings and has allowed them to see into the restaurant.
Spokesperson for the sheriff's office, Larry McKinnon, said SWAT and negotiation teams are on standby and the situation is "very fluid".
Local traffic is congested and all ramps to the County Line road have been closed by Florida Highway Patrol, according to Bay News 9.