Police Source: Conn. Man Forced To Wear Bomb-Like Device During Bank Robbery

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Police in New Britain, Connecticut on Monday encountered a man with what appeared to be a bomb strapped to his body at a credit union, after uncovering an alleged robbery plot.

As CBS2's Dick Brennan reported, the events began just around 8 a.m. Monday, when police swarmed a home in Bristol, Connecticut after reports of an overnight home invasion.

Police said they then learned that the invasion was tied to a scheme to rip off the Achieve Financial credit union In New Britain. The man who had the device strapped to him was believed to be Matthew Yussman, the chief financial officer of the bank.

As CBS2's Tony Aiello reported, the scene in central Connecticut bristled with police officers and armored vehicles following the incident.

"I've never, ever witnessed anything like that. That's why everything just kind of seemed so strange," said Katherine Rosales, who works in the area. "I definitely knew whatever situation was going on had to be extreme."

A law enforcemnet source told CBS News the man had had the device strapped to his body late Sunday and was told it was a bomb. He was then instructed to go and empty out the bank's vault and give it to the people who strapped it onto him, the source said.

New Britain police and the FBI were searching late Monday for two suspects, who allegedly broke into the man's home and strapped on the device. They also allegedly tied the bank executive's mother to the bed and also attached a device to her that they claimed was a bomb, the source said.

The suspects allegedly told the victim that if he called police or tried to take the device off, they would detonate it remotely from their cellphone, the source said. They then instructed him to go to the bank and bring back money, the source said.

The man went to the bank, and a coworker apparently called police who determined the device was a fake, the source said. The suspects apparently became suspicious and fled, the source said.

Thus, when police arrived on the scene, the only person they found was the alleged victim.

"They encountered an adult male in a motor vehicle, who had what appeared to be an explosive device strapped to his person," said New Britain Police Chief James Wardwell. "This individual was kept where he was while officers cleared the area of residents and shut down area roadways."

Shortly before noon, Connecticut State Police managed to render the device that was strapped to the man safe. It was determined to be a fake, the source said.

They were also still questioning the man Monday evening

"It's under investigation," Wardwell said. "Certainly, we're considering all possibilities. Whether or not he was coerced, doing something against his will or whether he is a suspect -- this is still an active investigation."

At least two schools in the area were put on lockdown during the morning, and many roads were also shut down. Police said they are looking for more than one suspect, but they said Monday afternoon that the public did not have to worry.

"In my opinion the threat is over, and now it's a matter for us to all work together – all the agencies that I described – to work together to apprehend those responsible," Wardwell said.

The man with the device on his body was taken to an area hospital, and did not suffer any injuries. Authorities say the state police bomb squad rendered the device safe.

Police said the man was being interviewed and was being cooperative.

The FBI was assisting state and local police in the investigation.

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