Feds Nab Suspected Repeat Bank Robber

A Blue Island man suspected of robbing banks in Mt. Greenwood, Beverly and Evergreen Park was taken into custody without incident last weekend, the FBI announced.

Although a suspect in four other bank heists, Michael Newson, 47, has only been charged with one count of bank robbery after federal agents said he robbed the Charter One Bank branch at 1400 Torrence Avenue, in Calumet City, the morning of June 18.

A bank employee was able to take down Newson’s license plate number when he circled past the bank a second time after attempting to flee down a dead-end street, the feds said. Using Illinois Secretary of State records, federal agents said they were able to track down Newson and arrest him over the weekend, after Charter One Bank employees identified him from a photo array.

According to the federal criminal complaint, Newson walked into the Calumet City bank branch and approached a teller around 10:19 a.m. June 18, and stated: “I want 100s and 50s.” He also presented a note to the teller repeating his demand, adding that the teller would be shot if the teller did not comply.

Informed by the teller that there were only small bills, the robber then instructed the teller to give him the money “from the top drawer.”

The FBI said that Newson was able to grab $2,958 that was equipped with a red dye pack. Employees told investigators that the dye pack began smoking in the back parking lot and exploded when Newson threw it on the ground, the criminal complaint read.

Newson is also a suspect in four other robberies committed since the beginning of June, according to the FBI:

• U.S. Bank branch at 11159 S. Kedzie Ave. in Mt. Greenwood on June 9;

• South Division Credit Union at 9122 S. Kedzie Ave., in Evergreen Park on June 12;

Newson, of the 200 block of West 107th Street in Blue Island, remains in federal custody. His next court hearing is June 27.

If convicted of the charge, Newson faces up to 20 years in prison.