FBI arrests man in downtown Miami Bank of America robbery

MIAMI – Federal authorities identified the suspect taken into custody after police said he robbed a downtown Miami Bank of America branch Friday.

An FBI spokesperson said Monday that Arnold Bell Jr., 47, of Miami, was in federal custody and expected to make his first appearance in Miami federal court.

Miami police responded to the Bank of America Financial Center at 150 W. Flagler St. at around 12:30 p.m. Friday after they said Bell tried to rob the branch and later took an elderly woman hostage, holding her by the neck with a bag in his hand.

The woman was likely a bank customer, police said. No one was seriously hurt.

Federal authorities didn’t specify the exact charges they arrested Bell on. A mugshot wasn’t available.

The FBI asked anyone with additional information to call 754-703-2000.