Police: Man claims he was forced to rob Amscot

Bomb squad called to Orange County store

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orange County deputies are investigating a robbery in which a man claims he was forced to rob his employer.

Osceola County sheriff's deputies said on Sunday that a house on Oakbrook Court near Kissimmee was stormed by robbers, who tied up several family members.  Investigators said the assailants then ordered one of the victims, an Amscot employee, to return to his workplace, break in, and steal cash.

During the robbery, a bag was left behind, leading deputies to call in the Orange County bomb squad to make sure it wasn't dangerous.

"It was an abundance of caution," said Capt. Angelo Nieves, an Orange County Sheriff's Office spokesman.

Detectives said no one was injured during the home invasion or the Amscot robbery. The family was able to untie themselves, according to deputies.

Neither Sheriff's Office would say how much money was stolen, but there's a reward available for information leading to the arrest of the hostage takers and robbers.  Crimeline is offering $5,000, and the Amscot store owner is adding another $10,000.

When Omeil Nevarez-Ramos heard about the robbery at his neighborhood Amscot, he thought it sounded like something out of a movie.

"Hostages, family, and then going to a bank. I've lived here for 16 years and I've never heard anything slightly Hollywood around here," Nevarez-Ramos said.


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