A man in heavy make-up and an ash-blond wig robbed the Bank of American Fork and took a bank employee hostage Tuesday afternoon before American Fork police thwarted his getaway.

The hostage was released uninjured outside the bank shortly after the 3 p.m. robbery.James Vern Hatch, 33, and his wife, Darlene, 27, were arrested in connection with the incident. Both reside in Manti.

According to the FBI, the robber entered the bank, approached a bank secretary and asked to speak with a loan officer. The robber presented a note to the loan officer demanding money. He also displayed a .22-caliber handgun.

After receiving the money, the robber took an employee hostage and left the bank. The two were walking toward the bank employee's vehicle when police stopped them.

Darlene Hatch was sitting in a nearby vehicle when she was arrested.

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The Hatches were arraigned Wednesday before a U.S. magistrate in Salt Lake City.

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