Held Hostage

In November 2000, Michelle Renee, an Assistant Vice President at one of the nation’s largest financial institutions, was home playing video games with her seven-year-old daughter, Breea, when three masked gunmen broke into her Southern California hilltop house. Duct taped and tormented with bombs placed on their bodies, they were threatened with murder if Michelle didn't rob the vault of the bank she managed.

 

After an intense 14 hours held hostage, Michelle pulled off the daring bank heist. But this was just the beginning of her nightmare. Michelle’s involvement was called into question as the hunt ensued to capture the gunmen. On top of the post event trauma, Michelle became a suspect.

 

Finally, the FBI concluded their investigation and America’s Most Wanted aired their story—which led to the capture of the third gunmen still on the run. With little help or money, Michelle and Breea went into hiding in Alaska to await the trial.