Two suspects were arrested Tuesday and officials were seeking a third for an attempted robbery that began at Liberty Inn & Suites on Gen. Screven Way and resulted in the short-term closure of the Wells Fargo Bank across the street.

Hinesville Police Department Det. Cpl. Kyle Lairamore did not release names Tuesday afternoon and said officials still were investigating the case.

The incident began when three men reportedly gained entry into a couple's hotel room. The men allegedly threatened the couple with brass knuckles and forced the male victim to the bank and demanded that he withdraw money. The third man reportedly stayed at the hotel with the woman.

The male victim notified the teller that he was being robbed, and bank employees stalled the transaction while triggering a silent alarm.

HPD and Liberty County Sheriff’s Officers responded to the bank just before 12:20 p.m., and HPD arrested two of the suspects there.

Police also were notified that the third suspect could be holding the female victim as a hostage at the hotel.

Officers surrounded the building and entered it, but they found the room empty, Lairamore said. He declined to go into detail.

He said the woman was later found unharmed, but the third suspect still was at large.

Officers blocked access to the bank as onlookers gathered to find out what prompted the multi-agency response.

Liberty County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jon Long said the deputies who responded were working as back-up and are not involved in the investigation.