U.S. Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Investigation
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U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation |
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| In Reply, Please Refer to Release No. |
219 South Dearborn Street Chicago, Illinois 60604 |
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March 20, 2006 TWO CHARGED WITH NAPERVILLE BANK ROBBERY Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); David Dial, Chief of the Naperville, Illinois Police Department; Mark Field, Chief of the Wheaton, Illinois Police Department and David L. Gerdes, Chief of the Joliet, Illinois Police Department announced today the arrest of GENE D. HORNE, age 35, whose last known residence was in Texas and KELLY L. MEWHIRTER, age 30, whose last known address was in Aurora, Illinois. HORNE and MEWHIRTER were arrested last Friday afternoon, without incident, by officers from the Joliet, Illinois Police Department. HORNE and MEWHIRTER were both charged in a criminal complaint filed earlier today in U.S. District Court in Chicago with one count of bank robbery, which is a felony offense. According to the complaint, HORNE and MEWHIRTER entered the Chase Bank branch, located at 1212 Hobson Road in Naperville, on March 15, 2006 and approached a teller. HORNE orally announced a robbery and demanded cash from the teller's drawer. After obtaining approximately $2800 in U.S. currency, the two fled the bank on foot, and were observed entering a Toyota 4-Runner. No weapon was displayed and no injuries were reported. A robbery notification was disseminated to local Police Departments by Naperville Detectives, which included details of the robbery, a description of the get-away vehicle and bank surveillance photos of the robbers. An alert Joliet Police Officer, while on routine patrol Friday afternoon, noticed the Toyota 4- Runner parked in the lot of the Fairfield Inn Motel, and investigated further. HORNE and MEWHIRTER were discovered in room 325 and upon questioning, were taken into custody. Although not charged with other crimes, HORNE and MEWHIRTER are suspects in an attempted robbery in Naperville and a robbery in Wheaton on March 13, 2006. In announcing this arrest, Mr. Grant wishes to recognize the Joliet Police Department for their outstanding efforts in locating and arresting these suspected bank robbers. "This case is an excellent example of the cooperative efforts necessary for effective law enforcement" said Grant. HORNE and MEWHIRTER appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sidney Schenkier, earlier today, at which time they were ordered held without bond, pending their next scheduled court appearance. If convicted of the charge filed against them, HORNE and MEWHIRTER face a possible sentence of up to 20 years incarceration. 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. EDITOR's NOTE: A copy of the complaint filed in this case is available form the FBI Press Office at (312) 786-2645. |
