$10,000 REWARD OFFERED IN OAK PARK BANK ROBBERY

Thomas J. Kneir, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced today that a reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the identification and arrest of the individuals involved in the April 9th robbery of the Charter One Bank branch, located at 810 South Oak Park Avenue in Oak Park, Illinois.

According to witnesses, three men all armed with handguns entered the bank branch at approximately noon. They ordered bank customers and employees to the ground and proceeded to take a substantial amount of cash from the teller drawers. After fleeing the bank, the robbers entered a waiting, dark colored SUV, that was being driven by a fourth individual, who was not further identified.

All three robbers were described as black/males, 5'8" - 5'11" tall, with medium builds. They were all wearing white painter-type or hazardous materials jump suits, with gloves, hoods and masks. One of the robbers was wearing a New Orleans Saints jacket over his jump suit.

In offering this reward, Mr. Kneir said " Bank robbery is a serious crime that we vigorously investigate. However, when you have three armed robbers taking over a bank filled with innocent bystanders and employees, it raises even further our concerns about the possibility of violence. We're hoping that this reward will cause someone to come forward with information that will lead to the arrest of those responsible".

This robbery is being investigated jointly by the Chicago FBI and the Oak Park, Illinois Police Department. Anyone with information should call the FBI at (312) 431-1333 or the Oak Park P.D. at (708) 386-3800.

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