Hostage taker in Amsterdam Apple store dies of his injuries

The man who held a customerhostageat gunpoint at anAmsterdamApplestorehas died of theinjurieshe sustained duringhisarrest, public prosecutors said on Wednesday.

Police stopped the man, identified as a 27-year-old fromAmsterdam, by running into him forcefully with a car as he chased afterhishostagewhen thehostagefled from theAppleflagshipstoreon Tuesday night.

"We are investigating the possible motives of thehostagetakerand the explosives he carried onhisbody", police said in a statement, noting that the explosives were not ready to detonate.

The suspect was armed with a pistol and an automatic rifle, with which he fired at least four shots when police arrived at the central Leidseplein square in front of thestorearound 6 p.m. (1700 GMT),Amsterdampolice chief Frank Pauw told a news conference.

The man, who had a criminal record, had demanded a ransom of 200 million euros ($226 million) in crypto currencies and safe passage out of the building, Pauw said.'

Thehostage, described by police as a 44-year-old Bulgarian man, fled from the building around 10:30 p.m.

Thehostagetakerchased after the man and police waiting outside rammed him with the car to stop him.

Videos of the incident showed thehostagetakerbeing knocked onto the hood of the police car and then falling to the ground.

Police said on Wednesday the man who was arrested was the only suspect.

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During the evening, about 70 people were able to leave thestorewhile thehostagesituation was ongoing. There were no reports of otherinjuries.

"We are so incredibly grateful and relieved that our employees and customers inAmsterdamare safe after thisterrifying experience,"Applesaid in a statement.