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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

October 18, 2002 FBI Investigates Bank Robbery Spree Thomas J. Kneir, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced today that the FBI is investigating a string of four (4) bank robberies that occurred earlier today in the suburban Chicago area. The first robbery occurred this morning at approximately 8:30 AM when a TCF Bank branch, located at 10203 Grand Avenue in Franklin Park was robbed on an undetermined amount of money by a lone robber. Witnesses described the robber as a Hispanic/male, 25-30 years of age, 5'7" tall, 170 pounds. After entering the bank, the robber approached a teller and orally demanded cash. He was armed with a semi-automatic handgun, which he threatened to use if his demands for money were not met. The robber was wearing a black jacket with red stripes on both sleeves, a light colored shirt and dark pants. He is believed to have fled the area in a red Toyota automobile with one white door. The second robbery took place at approximately 10:30 AM, when a TCF Bank branch located at 1952 West Galena in Aurora was robbed by a black/male, 50 years of age, who was wearing a red and grey checked flannel shirt with glasses. After entering the bank, the robber approached a teller and handed her a note demanding money. Although the note implied that he was armed, no weapon was displayed. After receiving an undetermined amount of cash, the robber fled the area on foot. The third robbery occurred at approximately noon, when a TCF Bank branch located at 6140 Northwest Highway in Crystal Lake was robbed of an undetermined amount of cash. Witnesses described the robber as a Hispanic/male, 25-30 years of age, 5'3" - 5'5" tall, 130-140 pounds. After entering the bank, the robber approached a teller and handed her a note demanding money. He also displayed a handgun that was concealed in the waistband of his pants. After receiving cash from the teller, the robber fled the area in a blue Ford SUV, not further described by witnesses. The fourth robbery of the day took place at approximately 3:00 PM, when a Harris Bank branch located at 500 Skokie Blvd. in Northbrook was robbed of an undetermined amount of cash by a lone robber, described by witnesses as a white/male, 30-40 years of age. After entering the bank, the robber approached a teller and orally demanded money from her drawer. Although he implied that he was armed, no weapon was displayed. After receiving the cash, the robber fled the bank on foot and escaped the area unseen. No injuries were reported in any of these apparently unrelated robberies, which are being investigated jointly by the FBI and local police. Anyone having any information about any of these thefts is asked to contact the FBI at (312) 431-1333. Bank surveillance photos of the robbers and additional information will be available from the Chicago FBI Press Office Monday afternoon.

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