FBI Seeks Information in Search for Serial Bank Robber

Cory B. Nelson, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is asking for the public’s help in locating a man believed to be responsible for three recent bank robberies in the Chicago suburbs, including one that occurred earlier today. Mr. Nelson also announced a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest of the man being sought.

Joseph Anderson, 32, last known to reside on the north side of Chicago, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago with one count of bank robbery, a felony offense, in connection with the April 29 robbery of the Bank of America branch located at 8422 West Lawrence Avenue in Norridge, Illinois. The complaint alleges that Anderson entered the bank, approached a teller station, and leaned forward to make a demand for money in a low voice. The complaint further alleges that Anderson threatened to blow up the bank if the teller pushed any buttons or played any tricks. After receiving cash from the teller, Anderson left the bank on foot.

According to the complaint, Anderson was identified as the robber of the Norridge bank by a hotel employee who saw bank surveillance photos of the robber posted on a social media site by a Chicago news agency. The employee recognized the individual in the photos as a former guest at the hotel and alerted the hotel manager, who in turn notified the FBI.

Although not charged, Anderson is believed to be responsible for two additional robberies, both also at Bank of America branches. The first occurred April 19 in Palos Hills at the branch located at 10260 Roberts Road, and the most recent occurred today at approximately 9:45 a.m. at the branch located at 6300 Kingery Highway in Willowbrook. On both occasions, the robber made a verbal demand for money and threatened harm to the bank personnel. Anderson was last seen wearing a White Sox cap; glasses; a dark, zippered hooded sweatshirt; and blue jeans.

If convicted of the charge filed against him, Anderson faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The public is reminded that a criminal 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.

This case is being investigated by Chicago FBI in coordination with the Norridge, Palos Hills, and Willowbrook Police departments. Anyone having any information about Anderson’s whereabouts is asked to call the Chicago FBI at (312) 421-6700.

Additional information about these and other unsolved Chicago area bank robberies, including downloadable surveillance photographs, is available from the Chicago Bandit Tracker website at www.bandittrackerchicago.com.