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U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation

In Reply, Please Refer to Release No.

219 South Dearborn Street Chicago, Illinois 60604

August 19, 2003 Charges Filed in Uptown Bank Robbery Thomas J. Kneir, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced today the arrest of REGINALD J. OWENS, age 32, of 4727 North Kenmore in Chicago. OWENS was arrested yesterday afternoon following the robbery of the Bank One branch, located at 1825 West Lawrence Avenue. OWENS was charged in a criminal complaint filed earlier today in U.S. District Court in Chicago with one count of Bank Robbery, which is a felony offense. According to the complaint, OWENS approached a teller inside the bank and handed her a note announcing a robbery and demanding money. After receiving in excess of $13,000, OWENS attempted to flee the area on foot. He was pursued by an off-duty Chicago Police Officer, who was working as a security officer in the bank. After a short foot-chase and a brief struggle, OWENS was taken into custody. The officer was assisted in chasing and subduing OWENS by three (3) passers-by. OWENS was subsequently turned over to the FBI and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sidney I. Schenkier, earlier this afternoon. OWENS was ordered held without bond, pending his next scheduled court appearance. If convicted of the charge against him, OWENS faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years incarceration. The FBI is continuing with its investigation of this matter, in an attempt to determine if OWENS is involved in any other unsolved bank robberies. No injuries were reported during the robbery. However, the off-duty CPD Officer and one of the assisting citizens were treated and released for minor injuries suffered during the struggle. In announcing this arrest, Mr. Kneir wants to commend the quick response taken by the off-duty CPD Officer in recognizing that a robbery had occurred and the heroic actions of the private citizens, whose assistance was invaluable in apprehending OWENS. All four individuals will be nominated for commendations from FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III. The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt and that all defendants in a criminal case are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. EDITOR's NOTE: A copy of the complaint filed against OWENS is available from the Chicago FBI Press Office at (312) 786-2645.

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