GPS Trackers Lead Police to Not-So-Master-of-Disguise Serial Bank Robber: FBI

CHICAGO, IL -- Quick-thinking bank tellers inserted GPS tracking devices into a bag of cash that led to the capture of a serial bank robber. Everett James, a 55-year-old Chicago resident, appeared in federal court on Thursday where he was charged with robbing a South Loop bank, the FBI announced.

James wore an assortment of wigs, fake facial hair and hats in his various conquests, a criminal complaint alleges. In addition to the First American Bank, 1241 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago. James is also suspected of robbing three other banks, according to the FBI-run website, BanditTrackerChicago.

The feds said that around 4:20 p.m., Aug. 10, a black male wearing a white fisherman’s hat, fake beard, dark suit and holding a cell phone to his ear entered the First American Bank. Approaching a teller window where two bank employees were assisting a customer in counting our change, James said, “all the money in your drawer.”

• READ: 'Floral Floppy Hat' Bandit Robs Bridgeview Bank: FBI

The customer grabbed the bag and stepped away from the window, according to the criminal complaint. James is then said to have grabbed the bag out of the customer’s hand, which contained the customer’s own money, and told the teller to fill it.

During the alleged encounter, James was talking into a cell phone while demanding that the bank employee keep her had down and not look at his face. James also warned the teller that he knew where she lived and to not put herself in danger, according to the criminal complaint.

The bank employee complied with his demands, and inserted a GPS tracking device into the bag of money before handing it over. After he got the money, he fled the bank onto South Wabash Avenue. Before he left, James allegedly told the teller that she should be thankful that he didn’t take her own personal property.

Surveillance image of Everett James who the FBI says is a serial bank robber. | BanditTrackerChicago

The FBI said the teller described the bandit as a black male in his 50s, about 5-feet-8-inches tall with a thin build. The teller said the man appeared to be bald, as the sides of his head were shaved. He wore a dark blue or black suit, with a white fisherman’s hat and fake beard.

The second bank employee said about 20 minutes before the robbery he saw a man with a red shirt peering through the bank’s window, but he did not come into the building. When James allegedly entered the bank, he approached the teller window. Believing that the bank was about to be robbed, the teller warned other employees of the possible impending robbery.

The customer had just received $60 in quarters and $100 in 10-dollar bills, stepped away from the teller window. Ordering the customer to leave the white cloth bag on the counter, James allegedly announced, “This is a robbery.” Demanding that the second employee fill the bag with fifties and one hundred dollar bills, the teller advised James that he had already done that” the complaint said.

The FBI says that Everett James often used disguises during his alleged brief bank robbery spree. | BanditTrackerChicago

The second teller also included a second GPS tracking device in the bag. James exited the bank with the money and headed south on Wabash Avenue, the FBI said. Before he left, James allegedly issued another warning, telling employees he knew their names and where they lived.

According to the criminal complaint, the second teller provided the same description of the bank robber of a black male in his 50s wearing a gray suit and collared shirt to the FBI, adding that the robber had a southern accent. The customer further added that James said to leave the cloth bag containing the customer’s money on the counter. James also held the cell phone to his ear as if talking to someone, and demanded that no one look up.

Mere minutes after the robbery, a Chicago police officer fielded a radio dispatch of the GPS tracking device near 333 N. Wacker Drive. The officer spotted James at the address, but he was not wearing the clothing described by the bank employees, the FBI said.

Surveillance image of alleged captured serial bank robber. | BanditTrackerChicago

The officer radioed for a better description of the alleged robbery. After obtaining more details, the officer believed the man he saw to match the height, weight, sex and age of the purported First American Bank robber.

The FBI said the police officer went into the building, where he learned the man was making a delivery on the 23rd floor. When the man returned to the lobby, the cop asked where his car was parked. Pointing to a blue 2016 Nissan Versa. A second Chicago police officer arrived on the scene and saw a gray suit coat inside the car, according to the criminal complaint.

James is said to have provided his driver’s license identifying himself as Everett James. An FBI agent arrived using a handheld device that pinpointed the location of the tracking devices placed by the bank employees, the feds said.

Alleged bandit in disguise. | BanditTrackerChicago

The handheld device indicated that the bank’s GPS trackers were in or around the Nissan. Versa. According to the criminal complaint, the agent also looked through the car’s window and saw the suit jacket and what appeared to be a fake beard or black wig, along with a tan canvas bag on the floor.

James was taken back to the First American Bank around 5:18 p.m. One of the tellers and customer positively identified James as the man who allegedly robbed the bank. The second teller identified James as the man in the red shirt he saw earlier peeking into into the bank window. A bank audit determined the stolen funds to be $2,228, the FBI said.

According to BanditTracker, James appears to have started his alleged bank robbery spree on July 12 at the Fifth Third Bank, 29 W. Division St., Chicago. He is also a suspect in the July 25 robbery of Parkway Bank, 39 N. Morgan St., Chicago; and the Fifth Third Bank, 3601 N. Broadway, Chicago, on Aug. 6. James has not been charged in these robberies.