Three gunmen abducted three women clerks during an abortive bank robbery near New York on Thursday (31 December) and led police radio cars and helicopters on a 60-mile (96 kms) chase before they were captured two hours later in a New York suburb. The three terrified hostages, handcuffed and with guns hold to their heads throughout the wild chase were not harmed.

The drama began when the raiders were stopped by police as they were trying to hold up a bank. Taking the three clerks with them, the raiders then drove to New York's Kennedy Airport, about 30 miles (48 kms) away. More than a score of police cars and two police helicopters kept up the chase, but made no attempt to stop them.

They went to the airport with the intention of hijacking an aircraft to Africa. But when the raiders reached the airport, they found no available 'planes. They moved away as police cars closed in.

About ten miles (16 kms) away in Brooklyn, the getaway car stopped for a traffic light and one of the handcuffed hostages was let out. Police then raced to the raiders' car. The robbers fired several shots but no one was hit. Surrounded, they then surrendered without any further resistance.

Police led the hysterical hostages to safety. The raiders were charged with robbery, kidnapping and assault. Police said no money was taken during the robbery attempt. Police also said the hostages were unharmed.