U.S. Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Investigation
|
|
U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation |
|
|
| In Reply, Please Refer to Release No. |
211 West Roosevelt Road Chicago, Illinois 60608 (312) 829 - 1199 |
|
|
|
August 28, 2006 SUSPECTS SOUGHT IN TAKE-OVER ROBBERIES Robert D. Grant, 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 depicted in the attached photographs, who are believed responsible for the armed robbery of at least four (4) banks in the western suburbs during the past eight months. In the most recent theft, which occurred on August 9th, two robbers, both armed with handguns, entered the Harris Bank branch, located at 320 Diehl Road in Naperville. They ordered bank employees to open a door separating the lobby from the teller area. One of the robbers stood guard over the employees while the second ordered a bank employee to open the vault. They then fled the area in a car that was reported stolen from its owner at gunpoint in Chicago, three days earlier. The vehicle was later found abandoned in a nearby parking lot. Other robberies attributed to these individuals are the May 15th take-over of the U.S. Bank branch, located at 1009 East State Street in Geneva; the April 6th take-over of the Hinsbrook Bank branch, located at 2401 Kaneville Road in Geneva and the December 2005 theft from the Harris Bank branch in Aurora. In all three of these incidents, the robbers also escaped in stolen vehicles that were found abandoned a few blocks away. In two of the cases, the get-away vehicles were reported stolen from the Wheaton Park District fitness center. Although the robbers have been armed and threatened both bank customers and employees with harm if their demands were not met, no shots have been fired and no injuries were reported in any of the thefts. Both robbers have been described by witnesses as a black/males, 25- 35 years of age, 5' 10" - 6' 0" tall, medium build, with black hair and brown eyes. Both robbers have worn gloves and black face masks to conceal their identities. One of them has worn a dark colored outer garment looking like an apron, which is possibly ballistic body armor. Given the use of get-away vehicles and the speed with which they have fled the area after the robberies, it is possible that a third individual is also involved, serving as a look-out and driver. In appealing to the public for help, Mr. Grant noted that 2005 was a record year for bank robberies in the five county metropolitan Chicago area, with 240 reported. "Our biggest concern with the rise in the number of bank robberies in the past 18 months has been the dramatic increase in take-over robberies", said Grant. "The combination of armed offenders in a confined area with numerous customers and employees being held hostage is a very dangerous situation, which is why we are asking for the public's help in identifying these robbers." These robberies are being investigated jointly by the FBI's Lisle office and Detectives from the Aurora, Geneva and Naperville Police Departments. Anyone recognizing these individuals or having any information about any of these robberies is asked to call the FBI at (312) 421-6700. Person(s) providing information which leads to an arrest and conviction in August 9th robbery would also be eligible for a reward of up to $10,000 that is offered by the Harris Bank as part of a joint banking initiative announced earlier this year designed to help stem the tide of bank robberies in the Chicago area. EDITOR's NOTE: Additional copies of the attached photos are available from the Chicago FBI Press Office, either by e-mail or courier, at (312) 829-1199.
|
