Family of Bank Robbery Suspect: He Snapped

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The suspect in a bank robbery - who held two hostages in a Greenville bank - had bond set at $1.5 million in court Friday morning.

Update: Friday 3:14 pm
We've learned Bruce Lee Windsor has been in mortgage real estate for the past three years. He owned Lease to Home on S. Buncombe Rd in Greer.
He is married and has four young children. Windsor faces 30 years for kidnapping, 30 years for robbery and five years for weapons charges from the incident Thursday afternoon. Read the police report

Windsor could also face federal charges.

Greenville Police say Windsor told them he was having financial problems and has an account at Greenville First Bank, which he's accused of trying to rob.

The pastor from Brushy Creek Baptist Church said Windsor is a deacon at the church and is a good man. Windsor's sister says he coaches soccer, never swears and never stole a thing in his life.

His sister says Windsor snapped.

We've learned Windsor has been married for 16 years and has children who are ages 11, nine, six and three years old.

If Windsor is able to post bond he will have to be monitored electronically.

Police say Windsor entered the bank and took two hostages at gunpoint. He took them into an office where he presented a note.

Reporting by Kristen Nastasia

Update: 9:00 am Friday

Bruce Lee Windsor will face a judge for a bond hearing at 10 am Friday.

Update: 5:30 am Friday

Bruce Lee Windsor, 43, faces six criminal charges including:

-2 counts of presenting a firearm..
-2 counts of kidnapping
-Attempted robbery,
-Posession of a weapon during a violent crime.
Neither Greenville Police nor the magistrate's office have said what time Windsor would have his bond hearing, but it could happen Friday.

Update: 12:30am Friday

Police say a 43-year old man is under arrest following a standoff and attempted bank robbery. Bruce Lee Windsor, of Greenville, was interviewed for more than five hours Thursday night before being booked into the Greenville County Detention Center, where he will face charges.

Our cameras followed him as officers led him from a holding room to the detention center, to be booked in the jail. He said nothing to NewsChannel 7's Jonathan Carlson when asked for comment.

Reporting By Jonathan Carlson

Update 5:49
Air 7 says traffic is now moving on Verdae Blvd again.

Update 5:10pm
Police say they have a suspect in custody and everyone is safe.
Read Amy Wood's Twitter feed that told News Channel 7 the situation was over minutes before the police could.

This is a picture taken by Air 7 of the suspect taken out of a police car and into the LEC

Update: 5:08pm
A Witness, Richard Blackwell is in the building next to the bank tells News Channel 7 that police are inside the building and are getting ready to bring the suspect out.

Update: 4:55pm
A Witness, Richard Blackwell is in the building next to the bank tells News Channel 7 that approximately 20 people have left the building and moving to safety.

Update: 4:48
6 people have just ran from the building to safety.

Update 3:49pm
Greenville Police say they have surrounded a bank while a male suspect is holding two women hostage inside.

The bank is Greenville First Bank at 100 Verdae Blvd.

Police say they received a 911 call at 3:28 PM that the man was in the process of robbing the bank.

Greenville police officers, the Crisis NegotiationsTeam and S.W.A.T Team are on scene.

The Highway Patrol is assisting with traffic and have closed that portion of Verdae Blvd. Traffic is being diverted at Rocky Slope Road on one end of Verdae Blvd. and at the Laurens Road end of Verdae Blvd.

Amy Wood was receiving updates and story tips throughout the situation via her Twitter account. You can view the feed below.

Amy Wood's Twitter Feed
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