Man accused of holding loss prevention officer hostage at Florida City Walmart

FLORIDA CITY, Fla. – An attempted robbery turned into a standoff with Florida City police Saturday afternoon when a Miami man barricaded himself inside a Walmart loss prevention office and held an employee hostage with a stolen gun, authorities confirmed Monday .

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The videos show the fear inside and outside the Walmart Supercenterat 33501 South Dixie Highway. Police officers from the Miami-Dade and Florida City police departments and Miami-Dade fire personnel responded.

Florida City police said officers were dispatched after a call from a loss prevention associate who reported James Hackler, 70, of Coconut Grove, was seen hiding merchandise and trying to leave store without paying around 12:15 p.m.

Police said he struggled with Hackler, but had to retreat outside the office for cover when he reached for the gun. Hackler then barricaded himself in the room, holding the loss prevention officer hostage, the arrest report said.

Police said the standoff lasted about 20 minutes before Hackler was taken into custody.

The loss prevention officer later told authorities that Hackler threatened her, saying she “shouldn’t move or he’s going to shoot her.”

Despite that, the victim was able to keep the situation calm and eventually convinced Hackler to release her unharmed around 12:30 p.m., investigators said.

Police confirmed that officers immediately began issuing commands for Hackler to surrender. By 12:40 p.m., Hackler emerged from the office unarmed and was taken into custody after briefly resisting arrest, the report said.

A search of the office revealed Hackler had hidden the gun behind a drawer. A serial number check confirmed the gun was reported stolen in Miami.

The officer and escorted Hackler to the loss prevention office for further questioning. While there, Hackler opened his backpack, revealing a Kimber 9mm semi-automatic handgun, police said.

Authorities said the Walmart, which was evacuated during the standoff, reopened later that afternoon.

Authorities said Hackler, the victim and the Florida City police officer were evaluated by MDFR personnel for injuries sustained during the confrontation.

Hackler was transported to Homestead Hospital for clearance before being transferred to Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, his arrest report states.

Investigators have not released a motive for the incident.

Jail records show Hackler faces two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one count each of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and false imprisonment with a deadly weapon.

As of Monday, he remains at TGK, where his bond was listed as “to be determined.”