A man is held up inside a bank with what appears to be a bomb strapped to his chest, with armed police alredy spotted at the scene.
The breaking incident is now unfolding at Chase Bank in Downtown Bakersfield, in the US state of California.
It is understood at least one hostage has been taken.
This is a breaking news event. Updates will be shared when we have them via our live blog below.
New UpdatesToday23:18 BST
Bakersfield Police Sargaent Eric Celedon told Nexstar’s KGET News that authorities were alerted to the threat at the bank at about 1pm local time.Its is now 3:17 pm, as per time of writing. Police are now asking the community to avoid the area.
Rachel Vickers-PriceToday23:09 BST
We’ve got fresh images from the scene at Chase Bank in downtown Bakersfield, where a breaking incident is now unfolding.
Police at the scene of as robbery in downtown Bakersfield.(Image: DadsGoneLive/X)
A man with ‘bomb on chest’ has started a terrifying hostage situation at a Chase Bank location(Image: KBAK/KBFX)
A police presence is already at the scene, and an exclusion zone has been set up(Image: DadsGoneLive/X)
Police seen at the Chase Bank in Bakersfield(Image: DadsGoneLive/X)
A bank job is currently underway in Bakersfield, a city north of Los Angeles.
Chase Bank on 17th Street and Chester.(Image: Google Maps )
Evacuations are now in progress, with police urging locals to steer clear of the area.
Police said to stay clear of the area.
Rachel Vickers-PriceToday23:00 BST
A spokesperson for the City of Bakersfield said they are aware of an ongoing incident at a private property near several City buildings in downtown.
As a precaution, City Hall North, City Hall South, the Development Services Building, and Bakersfield Police Headquarters have been thrown into lockdown until further notice.
Rachel Vickers-PriceToday22:54 BST
Bakersfield police have confirmed that an exclusion zone has now been put in place.
Areas between 18th and Truxtun Avenue and Chester to H Streets are now closed due to a bomb threat within the area.
Rachel Vickers-PriceToday22:51 BST
It is now understood that the man has taken at least one hostage, with negotiators now at the scene working to rescue the person or persons taken by the armed robber.
Rachel Vickers-PriceToday22:45 BST
Police are at the scene of a bank robbery in Bakersfield, north of Los Angeles.
Evacuations are now underway of nearby buildings and streets are closed in the downtown area of the city as the situation unfolds, with one hostage taken and a bomb threat at Chase Bank.
The Bakersfield Police Department confirmed to local papers on Tuesday (June 2) that there is an active hostage situation at the Chase Bank on 17th Street and Chester.
Police added that the suspect is a man and has made bomb threats. He also apparently has a bomb strapped to his body.