bank robbery

FBI: Wicker Park bank robbery is man’s third

Jan 13, 2015 |

Surveillance image of a man suspected of two West Town bank robberies in December. / photo credit the FBI

(Chicago) A man robbed a Bank of America branch Saturday afternoon in the Wicker Park neighborhood, his third since December, authorities said.

The man walked into the bank at 1585 N. Milwaukee about 12:45 p.m. and demanded money from a teller, police said. The teller complied and the man fled with an unknown amount of cash.

According to a police report, the robber stood in line with other customers before approaching the counter and handing the teller a note, which read, “Keep calm! No alarms were listening! 100s, 50s, 20s, no dye! No GPS! I’ll check in 30 seconds!”

The teller then handed the robber money through the bullet-proof window, and the suspect walked out of the bank, heading eastbound on Milwaukee, the police report said.

The man is also suspected of robbing a PNC Bank branch at 2100 W. Chicago on Dec. 26 at about 5 p.m., police said.

He also robbed a Chase Bank branch at 1959 W. Division, on Dec. 12, according to the FBI. That robbery took place less than a mile away from his second robbery.

The suspect is described as a white man in his 30s, standing between 5-foot-8 and 6 feet tall, according to the FBI. During the Chase Bank robbery, he wore glasses and a dark-colored coat, a brown scarf and a dark-colored hat. He also had a five o’clock shadow beard.

No weapon was displayed and no injuries were reported in any of the robberies, police said.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to his identification and arrest. Anyone with information should call the FBI at (312) 421-6700.

FBI offers reward for information about ‘Play-Along Bandit’

Dec 12, 2014 |

photo credit: FBI

(Chicago) Federal authorities are seeking information about a man they have dubbed the “Play-Along Bandit,” suspected of robbing five banks across the city since October.

The bandit most recently robbed a Harris Bank branch at 1620 W. 95th St. on Dec. 6, according to a statement from the FBI. He approached the teller, made a threatening demand for money and implied he was armed, although he did not display a weapon.

He has been dubbed the “Play-Along Bandit” because of the way he tries to blend in and act like a regular bank customer as he enters and exits the banks, the FBI said. He has even greeted security guards as he walked past them.

He is also suspected of robbing:

—First Merit Bank, 1715 W. 47th, on Nov. 25;

—Citi Bank, 2000 W. 79th, on Nov. 14;

—Fifth Third Bank, 8140 S. Ashland, on Oct. 28; and

—ABC Bank, 9443 S. Ashland, on Oct. 18.

The bandit is described as a black man between 25 and 30 who is about 5-foot-8, the FBI said.

He has worn a variety of jackets during the robberies, one of which had a “distinct pattern” across the chest, according to the FBI. He has also consistently worn what appears to be the same black knit skullcap with a small brim in front.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to his identification and arrest. Anyone with information should call the FBI at (312) 421-6700.

Man suspected in three previous bank robberies strikes again in Berwyn

Dec 11, 2014 |

photo credit:FBI

(BERWYN) A man suspected of robbing three banks in a week last summer struck again Wednesday at a west suburban bank he’d already robbed once before.

The most recent robbery happened at 11:20 a.m. Wednesday at the Metro Bank branch at 7025 W. Roosevelt Rd. in Berwyn, according to the FBI.

In June, the same suspect struck three banks in the west and southwest suburbs in one week.

He robbed the same Metro Bank branch in Berwyn on June 24, according to the FBI. The next day, on June 25, he struck a Cole Taylor Bank branch at 501 W. 79th St. in Burbank.

The robbery spree began on June 20, when he robbed the Metro Bank branch at 8744 Ogden Ave. in Lyons at 12:50 p.m., according to the FBI.

The suspect is described as an 18- to 20-year-old Hispanic man, about 6 feet with a thin build, short black hair and brown eyes, according to the FBI.

He has implied he had a weapon during previous robberies, but has not shown one.

In 2014, there have been 174 bank robberies in the Chicago area, according to the FBI. Last year, there were 122 bank robberies.

Anyone with information should call the FBI at (312) 421-6700.