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California Bank Robber Surrenders VOA News 30 Jan 2002 07:26 UTC 
Authorities in California say a would-be bank robber surrendered once his last few hostages escaped.
The suspect, Danny Chao, was apprehended after an eight-hour standoff with police at a Cathay Bank branch near Los Angeles. He had been negotiating terms of his surrender over the telephone when he realized his remaining four hostages had slipped out the front door or a bathroom window.
The hostage drama began Tuesday morning when the man entered the bank and handed over a note demanding $50,000. An employee triggered a silent alarm. When police arrived he took nine hostages.
The suspect released at least two of the hostages during negotiations. The others escaped on their own.
Danny Chao is in custody for attempted robbery and kidnapping.
Cathay Bank describes itself as the first Chinese-American bank established in Southern California.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.
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