[next]          [previous]

FBI Seal - Link to FBI Chicago Main Press Page

U.S. Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Investigation


In Reply, Please Refer to Release No. 219 South Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois 60604

 

 

April 19, 2001

Orland Park Robber to be Charged

Kathleen L. McChesney, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Tim McCarthy, Chief of the Orland Park Police Department, announced today the arrest of RONALD E. PARKS, age 30, of Joliet, Illinois. PARKS was arrested late yesterday afternoon by the Orland Park Police, following the robbery of the LaSalle Bank branch located at 50 Orland Square Drive.

According to witnesses, PARKS entered the bank at approximately 4:45 P.M., approached a teller and handed her a note announcing the robbery. Although his note implied that he was armed, no weapon was displayed and no injuries were reported. After receiving an undetermined amount of cash, PARKS fled the bank, entering the vehicle that was parked in a nearby lot.

Witnesses observed PARKS enter this vehicle and provided a description to responding Orland Park Police (OPP) Officers. A short time later, PARKS was located by OPP patrol units, who gave chase. PARKS refused to stop and led OPP Officers on a high speed chase for several miles, before crashing his vehicle in Lockport. PARKS was taken to Silver Cross Hospital for treatment, where he remains under police guard. PARKS will be  charged in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago, later today, with one count of bank robbery. His court appearance will be scheduled upon his release from the hospital.

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.




Back to Press Release Page