'Bearded Bandit' Getaway Driver Had Unfinished Demand Notes: FBI

ALGONQUIN, IL — The getaway driver for a serial bank robber, dubbed by Patch as the "Bearded Bandit," had several extra demand notes in the car when she was apprehended by police, according to the FBI, as an affidavit sheds light on some details of the day the duo was arrested.

Daniel Plushkis, 26, had just robbed the TCF Bank Saturday, Dec. 23, in an Algonquin Jewel-Osco, the FBI alleged, before being caught by a group of firefighters. Jessica Plushkis, 28, was driving away "at a high rate of speed" and ran a stop sign, according to an FBI affidavit.

When police questioned her, she said she was driving away to get away from all the activity. Earlier that day, she told police, Daniel had told her they needed money and suggested robbing a bank. As they went grocery shopping, the affidavit states, Daniel told Jessica to pull into the Jewel-Osco.

Daniel then put on gloves, a fake beard and sunglasses and entered the store. Jessica knew it contained a TCF bank, which led her to believe he planned to rob it. When Daniel entered the Jewel-Osco, Jessica noticed he was being followed. When he was tackled, Jessica panicked and drove off before police stopped her, the FBI said.

When police showed her the surveillance photo from inside the TCF Bank, Jessica confirmed that the man in the picture dressed as Daniel was when he got out of the car. She also confirmed Daniel's handwriting on the demand note.

With her permission, police searched Jessica's car and found several demand notes, as well as several "partially completed" demand notes, the FBI said.

Daniel started with a a Chase Bank branch in Cary Dec. 1, but each subsequent heist has taken place inside a grocery store, according to the FBI. First it was a Huntley Jewel-Osco, then another grocery store bank branch in Arlington Heights, Streamwood and, most recently, the branch at 103 South Randall Road in Algonquin.

All five robberies reportedly took place in the afternoon, between about 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., and no firearm was displayed in any of the incidents. They were all non-takeover robberies, where only the teller is aware the robbery is taking place.

Map of five bank robbery locations and the Plushkis' residence:

The Plushkis' are being charged with burglary and robbery, in addition to what the FBI said are "possible federal charges."

Article image: Daniel Plushkis (allegedly), a serial bank robber in Algonquin (left) and Streamwood | FBI