BREAKING:Hostages have been taken in northern French town of Roubaix

[Are_grits_groceries]

@Grasswire
BREAKING: Armed men have taken hostages in the northern French town of Roubaix - Reuters, AFP

Near Belgian border

[StrayKat]

1. Probably robbery.

Reports are coming in that it's a robbery that turned into a hostage situation, but still uncertain.

Another thread with more info: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141270315

[magical thyme]

2. from Reuters

It was not immediately clear whether the gunmen were linked to the attacks in Paris on Nov. 13.

"An operation is underway after hostages were taken. Gunshots were fired and the neighborhood has been cordoned off," the source told Reuters. "A bank director and his family may have been taken as hostages."

Read more at Reutershttp://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/24/us-france-shooting-hostages-idUSKBN0TD2MK20151124#V5Gof3QLaY2R7P0v.99

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. no immediate indication of a link to the Paris attacks

Lille (France) (AFP) - One or more armed men have taken hostages in the northern French town of Roubaix, local authorities said Tuesday, but there was no immediate indication of a link to the Paris attacks.

The mayor's office said the suspect or suspects "carried out a robbery" after which they took hostages. A special police unit has been dispatched, the office said.

http://news.yahoo.com/hostage-standoff-northern-french-town-local-authorities-194337293.html;_ylt=AwrC1C3Rv1RWuX8AXfHQtDMD;_ylu=X3oDMTByOHZyb21tBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzcg--

[jberryhill]

4. Reports from EU press on Twitter indicate bank robbery

Guess they figured the cops were busy doing something else.