Cops: Home invasion, robbery plot linked to Conn. bomb scare

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. -- Police say a home invasion and a plot to steal money are linked to a man who was discovered strapped with a purported explosive device near a suburban Hartford credit union Monday morning.

A law enforcement source confirmed to CBS News senior investigative producer Pat Milton that the chief financial officer of the Achieve Financial Credit Union bank in New Britain, Connecticut, had a device strapped to his body late Sunday and was told it was a bomb. He was then instructed to go empty out the bank's vault and bring the money to them. Police determined that the device was a fake.

The source said New Britain Police and FBI are looking for two suspects who allegedly broke into the Connecticut home of the victim late Sunday and strapped the device to his body. The suspects also allegedly tied the bank executive's mother to the bed and had a device attached to her as well, which they claimed was also a bomb. The suspects allegedly told the bank's financial officer that if he called the police or attempted to take the device off, they would detonate it remotely from their cell phone. They then instructed him to go to the bank and bring back money.

The bank's financial officer went to the bank and apparently called a bank coworker who then called police. The suspects apparently became suspicious and took off. There were no injuries reported.

Police surrounded the credit union and a bomb squad arrived at the scene, while officers in nearby Bristol responded to what they called a related matter at a home. The incident prompted lockdown of some schools and the closure of several heavily-traveled roadways.

Public records show the house is owned by the credit union's chief financial officer, Matthew Yussman. A bomb squad also responded to the home.

New Britain police responding to the credit union discovered an unidentified man sitting in a car with what appeared to be an explosive device strapped to his body, New Britain police chief James Wardwell said.

The man was uninjured but was transported to the hospital as a precaution, according to Wardwell.

Police are still searching for several suspects, Wardwell said. "We'll apprehend those responsible," he said.

Wardwell said investigators are "considering all possibilites" - including whether the man was coerced into wearing the device against his will, or was a suspect.

The device was turned over to the FBI to be analyzed.

New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart said there was no danger to the public.