Des Plaines Bank Robber Sought by FBI, Updated

Updated Oct. 17 at 1:35 p.m.:

An attempted armed robbery occurred at the TCF Bank in Jewel Osco, 819 S. Elmhurst Road in Des Plaines, at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 14, said Commander Nick Treantafeles of the Des Plaines Police Department.

The FBI stated they were searching for the suspect, a man law enforcement believed was responsible for two bank robberies, in addition to the attempted robbery in Des Plaines on Sunday.

The man approached the shift supervisor at the TCF Bank, Treantafeles said, and said, “Give me all your money or I’ll blow your head off.” He then showed the bank worker a notepad, which stated, according to police, “Give me all your money.”

When the bank employee reached for the notepad to see what it said, Treantafeles said, the man pulled it back and walked away.

Des Plaines police are still investigating the incident, Treantafeles said.

Published Oct. 16 at 6:28 p.m.:

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is asking for the public’s help in searching for a man they suspect robbed area banks on Saturday and Monday, and attempted to rob a TCF Bank located in Jewel Osco, 819 S. Elmhurst Road in Des Plaines, on Sunday, the FBI stated in a press release Tuesday.

As of 5 p.m. on Oct. 16 the investigation into the whereabouts of the suspected robber was ongoing, said Joan Hyde, special agent for FBI Chicago, in an interview with Patch.

Law enforcement has surveillance photos and videos of what they believe is the same male subject, Hyde said, robbing a TCF Bank in a Jewel Osco, 4734 N. Cumberland Ave. in Chicago, on Oct. 13, attempting to rob the TCF on Elmhurst Road in Des Plaines on Oct. 14, and robbing Charter One Bank, 4411 N. Cumberland Ave. in Norridge on Oct. 15. In all three incidents, the suspected man presented a note, made verbal demands, and wore a dark, long-sleeve flannel shirt, the FBI stated.

The robbery in Norridge on Monday occurred at approximately 1 p.m., according to the FBI. The man, described by witnesses as 40-50 years old, 5-foot 6-inches to 5-foot 7-inches tall, with blond hair and balding, entered the Charter One Bank, presented a demand note to the teller, the FBI stated, and verbally demanded cash. The man threated to harm the teller, the FBI stated, but he did not show a weapon, and no one was injured during the robbery.

Hyde said it was not unusual to have a serial bank robber, but it was unusual for a robber to strike three consecutive times.

“Our fear is with each success, they get a little braver, a little bolder, and they carry out one of those threats,” Hyde said.

Should you ever find yourself in the presence of a crime occurring, Hyde said the best thing to do was be a good witness.

“Take a good look, get a good description, provide that description to law enforcement and let them do their work to take that person into custody,” Hyde said.

Photos and more information about the robberies are available on the BanditTrackerChicago website. The FBI asked that anyone with information about this or any other unsolved crimes to contact them at (312) 421-6700, or their local police department.

Des Plaines police were not immediately available for comment at publication time.

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