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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 26, 2004

$25,000 Reward Offered in Cole Taylor Robbery

Thomas J. Kneir, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is asking for the public's help in identifying the individuals responsible for yesterday's robbery of the Cole Taylor Bank branch, located at 4644 South Bishop in Chicago. According to witnesses, two men entered the bank shortly before 10:00 AM, both brandishing handguns. After ordering customers and employees to the floor, one robber stood guard in the lobby while the second took an as yet, undetermined amount of money from numerous teller drawers. The robbers then fled the bank into a waiting vehicle, which was driven by a third accomplice. No shots were fired during the robbery and no injuries were reported.

Robber #1 is described by witnesses as a black/male, 20-30 years of age, 6' tall, thin build with braided hair. He was wearing a white T-shirt, black pants and a baseball type cap. Robber #2 is described as a black/male, 20-30 years of age, 6' tall, thin build with a dark complexion. He was wearing a dark coat, blue jeans and a baseball type cap. The driver of the get-away vehicle was not observed by witnesses, although the vehicle is described as a maroon colored Chevrolet Astro van with tinted windows. No license plate number was obtained.

These same individuals are believed responsible for the June 18th robbery of the Austin Bank, located at 9443 South Ashland Avenue in Chicago and the May 20th robbery of the Charter One Bank, located at 2854 West Cermak, also in Chicago.

Anyone recognizing the robbers depicted in the attached photographs or having information about any of these robberies is asked to call the Chicago FBI at (312) 431-1333. A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information which leads to the identification and arrest of these individuals.

In offering this reward, Mr. Kneir said, "Armed robbers taking over a bank filled with customers and employees has the potential for disaster. We hope that someone will recognize one of these individuals and provide us with the information necessary to apprehend them before someone gets hurt."

All three robberies are being investigated by the Chicago FBI's Violent Crimes Task Force (VCTF), which is comprised of FBI Special Agents, Detectives from the Chicago Police Department (CPD) and Investigators from the Cook County Sheriff's Police Department (CCSPD).

EDITOR's NOTE: Additional copies of the attached photographs are available from the Chicago FBI Press Office, either via courier or e-mail, by calling (312) 786-2645.




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