Man held after Paris bank robbery

The assailant escaped using hostages as cover

French police have arrested a man suspected of shooting dead three people, and wounding five others, in a bungled bank robbery near Paris on Saturday.

The 27-year-old suspect was found at his girlfriend's house north-west of the capital early on Sunday morning.

On Saturday afternoon 10 people were taken hostage by a gunman disguised as a woman in the Caisse d'Epargne bank in a shopping centre in the northern suburb of Cergy-Pontoise.

Police were alerted to the robbery by clients who found the bank locked

A huge manhunt was launched after the man shot his way out of the bank with two hostages who later escaped, before seizing a nearby car and getting away.

French police said the man had shot dead the bank's manager and a member of his staff.

He then hijacked a car, killing one motorist and seriously injuring another. Police gave chase, but failed to catch him.

Hundreds of officers then set up roadblocks and checked vehicles leaving the town.

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Police on Sunday said that the man had exchanged fire as he escaped, and had been wounded.

They said he had sought the help of someone living in the area and had gone by taxi during the night to the home he shared with his girlfriend.

From this information, the police had been able to trace him to the flat, about 15 miles from the scene of the attempted robbery.

During a search, the police found the women's clothing with which the gunman had disguised himself during the robbery.

Hooded man

Bank customers had alerted police after unexpectedly finding its offices closed in the middle of the day and seeing a hooded man inside.

The wounded were rushed to hospital after the siege ended. Bank customers have been receiving counselling for shock.

The incident highlights a growing problem in and around the capital.

Police in the capital's tough northern suburbs say there are on average five armed hold-ups a week in summer, rising to 20 in winter.

Violent crime is becoming a major political issue in France.

President Jacques Chirac advocates a zero tolerance policy similar to that introduced in some American cities.

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