Stockton bank robbery: Victim, surviving suspect identified
STOCKTON, Calif. (KABC) -- More details are emerging about a high-speed chase and chaotic bank robbery in Stockton, including the identities of the surviving suspect and the bank customer who police said was used as a human shield during an intense gun battle.
The incident began around 2 p.m. Wednesday when three men armed with AK-47 style assault rifles held up a Bank of the West branch at Hammer Lane and Thornton Road. Police say the suspects had massive amounts of ammunition strapped to their bodies, and tied up a security guard.
The suspects took three women hostage - a bank customer and two bank employees. The suspects stole a bank employee's Ford Explorer and forced the women in it. They then led police on a violent 45-minute pursuit, which spanned several miles.
At one point, the suspects threw the two bank employees from the vehicle. When it was all over, two suspects were killed and the bank customer, Misty Holt-Singh, was found dead inside the SUV. Police say it appeared as though the surviving suspect used her as a shield.
Holt-Singh is from Stockton and has two children. A family member says Holt-Singh's 12-year-old daughter was waiting in the car when the bank was robbed.
The two bank hostages who were thrown from the vehicle were transported to local hospitals and are expected to survive. One suffered a gunshot wound and the other was treated for a grazing bullet wound.
The surviving bank robbery suspect, 19-year-old Jaime Ramos, of Stockton, has been booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on homicide, kidnapping, robbery and attempted murder charges.
Investigators say the two suspects who died in the gun battle with police were documented gang members from Stockton. They were only identified as two men, ages 30 and 27.
Authorities say they have recovered at least three handguns and an assault rifle from the scene.
According to police, the bank has a history of being robbed and the suspects may be connected to previous robberies.
