Public’s Help Sought in Search for Willow Springs Bank Robber

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 individual depicted in the below wanted flyer who is responsible for the July 16, 2010 armed robbery of the First Merit Bank branch, located at 8480 South Archer Avenue in southwest suburban Willow Springs, Illinois.

The robbery took place late in the afternoon, when a lone robber entered the bank and approached the teller counter. While holding a tire iron in his hand, he orally announced a robbery, ordering a bank employee to place money from her drawer into a black gym bag that the robber brought with him. He repeatedly threatened bank employees with harm if his demands were not met.

After receiving an undisclosed amount of cash, the robber fled the bank on foot and was last seen running through an adjacent alley out of sight. No injuries were reported during the robbery, which is being investigated by the FBI and Willow Springs Police Department.

The robber was described by witnesses as a white/male, 30 - 35 years of age, 5’10” - 6’ tall, 250 pounds, heavy build, with a goatee. He was wearing dark sun glasses and a black and white striped cap.

Anyone recognizing this individual or having any information about this robbery is asked to call the FBI at (312) 421-6700 or the Willow Springs Police Department at (708) 467-3700.

Additional information about this case and other unsolved bank robberies, including downloadable photographs, is available on the Bandit Tracker website, www.bandittrackerchicago.com.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Additional copies of the below wanted flyer are also available from the Chicago FBI press office at (312) 829-1199.