Hernando deputies shoot bank-robbery suspect

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An alleged bank robber -  with a hostage in his vehicle - led Hernando County deputies on a wild chase through the city of Brooksville Friday.

It ended with deputies shooting at the man on South Broad Street.

It started after the man allegedly robbed the Capital City Bank on Cortez Boulevard around 11 a.m.

Deputies got a description of the man and the white truck he was driving from someone at the bank who called 911.

Bank employees say the man passed a note to a bank teller - saying he had a hostage and would harm her if they didn't give him money.

After getting the cash, he took off.

Deputies say they found him driving near Bayfront Brooksville Hospital and tried to make a traffic stop, but Sheriff Al Nienhaus says he kept going.

"The vehicle refused to stop. We were able to deploy some spike strips and get at least one tire, but the vehicle still continued on and refused to stop. He went through some back roads north of State Road 50, namely Ft. Dade Avenue, and actually rammed a couple of police cars," Sheriff Nienhaus said.

The chase ended at Broad Street near MLK. Deputies say they had to shoot at the suspect to stop him.

The man was hit once and, in the process, deputies pulled a very scared woman from the white truck.

They believe she was taken hostage before the alleged bank robbery.

The sheriff says deputies saw the woman stick her hands out of the window, waving for help.

She is reportedly doing OK.

The suspect was being treated at a local hospital. His identity had not been released.