<p id="thickbox_headline">A man who held several people hostage at an Apple store in Amsterdam demanded 200 million euros ($230 million) in cryptocurrency before he was taken to hospital "seriously injured", police said Wednesday.</p>.<p>The man, identified as a 27-year-old from Amsterdam, entered the Apple store carrying a firearm in the busy Leidseplein neighbourhood late Tuesday afternoon, sparking a tense five-hour long ordeal.</p>.<p>The camouflage-wearing assailant held one man hostage, a Bulgarian national, while four others hid in a closet.</p>.<p>It was initially feared the suspect was holding several people hostage, but he was reportedly not aware that others were in hiding in the building.</p>.<p>In an overnight press conference, police chief Frank Paauw said the suspect demanded 200 million in cryptocurrency before he was eventually apprehended by police.</p>.<p>The dramatic ordeal finally ended around 10:30 pm (2130 GMT) when the suspect asked for water. The hostage fled after the water was delivered, closely followed by the suspect.</p>.<p>The suspect was then hit hard by a police car before a robot checked him for explosives as he lay on the road, painted by laser sights from police snipers.</p>.<p>"A car from the special forces reacted very adequately and alertly," Paauw said hailing the hostage for his bravery.</p>.<p>"The hostage has played a hero role. In a few split seconds he escaped this hostage situation, otherwise it would have been an even longer night and nasty night."</p>.<p>Around 70 people in total were evacuated from the building and the area around the store was cordoned off.</p>.<p>The suspect was taken to hospital "seriously injured", Paauw said, and an investigation into the incident was ongoing.</p>.<p>Police were called at about 5:30 pm (1630 GMT) on Tuesday about an armed man in the Apple store, and images suggested he might have been wearing an explosive vest.</p>.<p>Several special police units were deployed with the first to arrive targeted by an automatic weapon, Paauw said.</p>.<p>He later tweeted the man did not have explosives on him.</p>.<p>All Apple stores across the Netherlands were closed Wednesday, and the site of Tuesday's hostage taking will remain closed Thursday, the company said.</p>.<p>Leidseplein is popular with tourists and known for its lively bars and cafes. The area was quickly closed and the restaurants, bars and theatres were shut after the hostage taking.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH videos:</strong></p>
<p id="thickbox_headline">A man who held several people hostage at an Apple store in Amsterdam demanded 200 million euros ($230 million) in cryptocurrency before he was taken to hospital "seriously injured", police said Wednesday.</p>.<p>The man, identified as a 27-year-old from Amsterdam, entered the Apple store carrying a firearm in the busy Leidseplein neighbourhood late Tuesday afternoon, sparking a tense five-hour long ordeal.</p>.<p>The camouflage-wearing assailant held one man hostage, a Bulgarian national, while four others hid in a closet.</p>.<p>It was initially feared the suspect was holding several people hostage, but he was reportedly not aware that others were in hiding in the building.</p>.<p>In an overnight press conference, police chief Frank Paauw said the suspect demanded 200 million in cryptocurrency before he was eventually apprehended by police.</p>.<p>The dramatic ordeal finally ended around 10:30 pm (2130 GMT) when the suspect asked for water. The hostage fled after the water was delivered, closely followed by the suspect.</p>.<p>The suspect was then hit hard by a police car before a robot checked him for explosives as he lay on the road, painted by laser sights from police snipers.</p>.<p>"A car from the special forces reacted very adequately and alertly," Paauw said hailing the hostage for his bravery.</p>.<p>"The hostage has played a hero role. In a few split seconds he escaped this hostage situation, otherwise it would have been an even longer night and nasty night."</p>.<p>Around 70 people in total were evacuated from the building and the area around the store was cordoned off.</p>.<p>The suspect was taken to hospital "seriously injured", Paauw said, and an investigation into the incident was ongoing.</p>.<p>Police were called at about 5:30 pm (1630 GMT) on Tuesday about an armed man in the Apple store, and images suggested he might have been wearing an explosive vest.</p>.<p>Several special police units were deployed with the first to arrive targeted by an automatic weapon, Paauw said.</p>.<p>He later tweeted the man did not have explosives on him.</p>.<p>All Apple stores across the Netherlands were closed Wednesday, and the site of Tuesday's hostage taking will remain closed Thursday, the company said.</p>.<p>Leidseplein is popular with tourists and known for its lively bars and cafes. The area was quickly closed and the restaurants, bars and theatres were shut after the hostage taking.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH videos:</strong></p>