A manhunt is still underway for two of three bank robbers who took a hostage during a hold-up in the Hill Country.
Investigators say they had hoped some thermal imaging equipment might help them locate the two gunmen tonight.
At the moment, the men remain on the loose.
Early Friday morning, several law enforcement agencies had converged on the Cattleman's National Bank in Round Mountain.
"(Around) 7:30 this morning, I was coming home and there was bunch of activity, there was a lot of police and a lot of guns," said Michael Parker who owns a home nearby.
The Blanco County Sheriff says three Hispanic males, all armed with handguns and all wearing black ski masks, jumped a bank employee, forced him inside and forced him at gunpoint to open the vault. While no 9-1-1 call was made, the bank employee was able to alert police.
"This bank employee kept his head and that's what saved his life he knew what he had to do and he did it," said Sgt. Bob Shelton with the Blanco County Sheriff's Office.
One of the officers who arrived within minutes was Johnson City Police Chief Randy Holland. Holland told KVUE News as soon as he got there, he drove his police cruiser around back where he saw two of the armed robbers attempting to get into their car-- still holding the bank employee hostage. Holland says he pulled up and blocked their car. When they saw him, they retreated and pointed a gun to the employees head, at which time Holland pulled out his shotgun forcing a standoff.
"If things hadn't gone the way they had they probably would have taken the hostage with them," Sgt. Shelton said.
The gunmen released the bank employee and two of them ran into the woods. The third armed robbery suspect was found about three hours later -- hiding in the trunk of the getaway car. Those familiar with Round Mountain found it difficult to believe such a crime could happen here.
"To have gunmen actually walk into a bank, armed, it's very scary," Parker said.
"Growing up in Houston and moving out of the city to get away from the crime and get into an area like this you just don't expect that kind of thing," Randy Sansom said.
We're told the bank employee is okay and that due to the officers arriving on the scene so quickly, the gunmen did not get any money.
Law enforcement is asking that all residents of Round Mountain remain inside their homes until the attempted armed robbers are caught.
