Police searching for accused hostage takers

Nov 18, 2009 1 min read

VENICE, Fla. (AP) – Authorities are still searching for two men who prompted a lengthy standoff at a Florida retail store that was treated as a hostage situation.

Venice police Capt. Tom McNulty said Wednesday that authorities believe the gunmen had already left the T.J. Maxx store by the time emergency responders arrived on the scene Tuesday night. About 15 people were inside the store when the suspects walked through the door, and six remained trapped inside as the incident unfolded.

McNulty said police treated the incident as a hostage situation. The six people left in the store were cleared from the scene shortly after midnight. There were no injuries.

The investigation is ongoing.