FBI Chicago
Special Agent Siobhan Johnson
(312) 829-1199
April 1, 2015

FBI Seeks Help in Search for the Black Cap Bandit

The FBI is asking for assistance from the public in identifying and locating a bank robber suspected of carrying out four recent robberies at various Chicago-area TCF Bank locations. He is also suspected of robbing a fifth bank in the south suburbs. Robert J. Holley, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of the FBI, announced today that a reward is being offered for information that leads to the identification and arrest of the robber dubbed the Black Cap Bandit.

The robber earned his moniker by wearing a black cap during the robberies. The Black Cap Bandit first struck on September 25, 2014, at the TCF Bank branch located at 3400 North Western Ave in Chicago. At approximately 10:51 a.m. on that day, a robber entered the bank, approached a bank employee and made a threatening demand for money. On October 10, 2014, a robber matching the description of the individual from the prior robbery and operating in a similar manner entered a TCF Bank branch located at 9424 South Pulaski in Oak Lawn. Similar robberies occurred at two other TCF Bank branches in Burbank (Illinois) and Chicago in October and December. The TCF Bank branch located at 7910 South Cicero in Burbank was robbed on October 29, 2014, and the TCF Bank branch at 3570 North Elston Ave in Chicago was robbed on December 31, 2014. The Black Cap Bandit is also suspected to have robbed a Standard Bank branch located at 1968 Sibley, Calumet City, Illinois, on November 6, 2014. To date, there have been no physical injuries reported in connection with the robberies.

The Black Cap Bandit is described by witnesses as a male, black, approximately 6’1” to 6’3” tall, and weighing 200-210 pounds. He has been seen wearing either a black shirt or jacket or a gray hoodie, jeans, a gold cross chain, a black cap, and either glasses or sunglasses. He is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone recognizing the Black Cap Bandit or having information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Chicago Office of the FBI at (312) 421-6700 or local police. This case is being investigated by the FBI in coordination with local authorities.

Photographs from the robberies and additional information about the Black Cap Bandit, as well as information about other unsolved bank robberies in the Chicago area, can be found online at www.bandittrackerchicago.com.