FBI Steps Up Search for Bank Bandit

FBI officials are seeking the public’s help in identifying a man they’re calling the “Man in Black” robber, who is believed responsible for the armed robbery of at least one Chicago-area bank.

In what has been described as a “takeover robbery,” the “Man in Black” robber (originally dubbed the ‘Helmet Bandit’ by Oak Lawn Patch) FBI officials said the robber motioned as though he was gong to take off the motorcycle helmet, but instead reached into his jacket and pulled out a small, semi-automatic handgun and a black draw-string bag.

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According to witnesses, the robber then stated, “Give me all your money, I’m not kidding.” The robber continued to point a gun at bank employees as he ordered a teller to put the money in the bag, and told all of the tellers to “hurry up.”

As the robber took all the money from the tellers and began to leave the bank, he pointed the gun at an employee and stated, “Boom! Boom! You’re dead,” FBI officials said.

The “Man In Black” robber left the bank on foot, and was last seen walking north on Laramie Avenue.

walked into the Chase bank branch at 5705 W. 95th St. in Oak Lawn around 10:11 a.m. Dec. 8, 2011.

Witnesses said the bandit approached a teller window wielding a small black handgun. Similar to the Citibank robbery, the bandit also used a black drawstring bag told the teller to fill it with money stating, “quick, quick.” After the teller filled the bag the bandit turned toward and another employee and ordered her to fill the bag as well.

Bank employees were able to insert a red dye pack into the black drawstring bag. About 15 people, including bank employees and customers, were inside the bank, some of them unaware that it was being robbed.

Immediately after the Oak Lawn robbery, employees told police that the bandit fled on foot. Police spoke to on the 9500 block of Major who saw a man turn the corner of the Chase building wearing a motorcycle helmet. The helmeted bandit got into a black car that sped away southbound on Major Avenue before the robber was able to close the door.

Witnesses in the Citibank robbery described the “Man in Black” robber as a white male between 5-feet, 10 inches and 6-feet, 2-inches tall, with a thin build. He wore a black “HJC” motorcycle helmet with a dark visor, black jeans, black leather gloves, black leather riding jacket and white tennis shoes during the robbery.

In the Oak Lawn Chase bank robbery, witnesses told police the robber was wearing a black denim jacket, black pants and black boots. He wore a black motorcycle helmet on his head.

The FBI-run website Bandittracker.Chicago, also attributes the Chase bank robbery in Oak Lawn to the “Man in Black” robber.

Anyone recognizing the man in bank surveillance photos or having any information about the Citibank robbery is asked to call the Chicago FBI at 312-421-6700 or local police.