Cop Frees Hostage After Tricking Captor With Cigarette

Story ByJohn FengSub EditorJoseph GolderAgencyAsia Wire Report

Video Credit: AsiaWire

This is the moment a quick-thinking cop saves a hostage by pretending to offer her knife-wielding captor a cigarette before quickly grabbing the man’s hand.

The dramatic conclusion to the hostage situation came half an hour after the suspect surnamed Wang, 22, allegedly ran into a clothing business and held the lone female staff member at knifepoint.

Authorities in the county of Jinsha in China’s south-western Guizhou Province were sent to negotiate her release on the morning of 2nd June.

Pictures Credit: AsiaWire

The task force led by experienced police negotiator Yu Bentao did their best to calm the suspect, who can be seen sitting on the shop floor while holding on to the hostage, who has a knife pointed at her neck.

Authorities say Wang demanded a ransom of 20,000 RMB (2,285 GBP) be transferred into his personal account, but they managed to prolong talks by claiming accounts staff did not work at weekends.

The footage shows Officer Yu calmly speaking to the suspect while smoking a cigarette and he appears to offer one to the hostage taker.

With Wang apparently distracted, Yu suddenly lunges towards the knifeman and grabs his arm.

Half a dozen nearby officers rush in to subdue the suspect, while the female staff member is pulled away to safety amidst the chaos.

The hostage situation is brought to a close and Wang is led out the front of the shop shortly after.

According to investigators, Wang claimed dire financial straits led him to the extreme actions.