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Orange County police file charges against Irvine attempted bank robbery suspect

Saehan Bank in Buena Park
Saehan Bank in Buena Park
(
Photo via NBC LA
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Buena Park detectives filed a criminal complaint Monday against the Irvine gunman who shot it out with police during a bank robbery/hostage standoff on Thursday.

The suspect, 54-year-old Myung Jae Kim of Irvine, remains in critical condition at an Orange County hospital. Police say that when Kim’s condition is stable, they’ll book him into an Orange County jail.

SWAT officers shot and injured Kim, who had demanded $250,000 after he took a manager hostage at Saehan Bank on Beach Boulevard. Police say he fired a shot that injured three officers. They sustained wounds from shrapnel and broken glass, but they’re doing okay.

Detectives filed a complaint with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office against Kim. They allege attempted murder on police officers and a hostage, kidnapping, robbery and weapons charges.

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Police say Kim had carried four pipe bombs into the bank. One of the explosive devices was in his back pants pocket. They add that he was armed with a sawed-off shotgun.

Investigators also report that they found bomb-making material at Kim’s place of business in Garden Grove.

Detectives and FBI agents continue to investigate.

Correction: The bank robbery was last Thursday, not last Friday as stated in an earlier version of this story.

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