Couple Convicted In Bank Robbery Spree

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — A Crystal Lake couple that went on a bank-robbing spree in December 2017 have pleaded guilty to federal charges. Daniel R. Plushkis, 26, admitted to robbing banks in Cary, Huntley, Arlington Heights, Algonquin and Streamwood during a hearing in federal court last week. Meanwhile, his wife, Jessica E. Plushkis, 29, pleaded guilty earlier this month to aiding and abetting her husband during the bank robberies in Algonquin and Arlington Heights.

The robbery spree began on Dec. 1, 2017, when Daniel Plushkis entered a Chase Bank at 300 Northwest Highway in Cary wearing a long, fake beard, camo hat and sunglasses. He handed a teller an envelope with a note that stated he had a gun. He then began counting down from 30. The teller put $5,870 from the bank’s cash drawer into an envelope, and Daniel fled from the bank.

On Dec. 10, Daniel robbed the TCF Bank, 13200 Village Green Drive in Huntley, getting away with $237, and then held up the TCF Bank, 1860 S. Arlington Heights Road in Arlington Heights, on Dec. 13, 2017, stealing $2,676, according to a news release from the U.S. State’s Attorney’s Office. On Dec. 20, Daniel robbed the TCF Bank at 217 E. Irving Park Road in Streamwood, getting away with about $500 in cash.

During all the robberies, he wore a long, fake beard and sunglasses and handed the teller a note before starting a countdown.

Authorities say Jessica Plushkis aided her husband in the bank robberies by buying him a fake beard, black-colored hair spray and black face paint a few hours before the Dec. 13 robbery knowing Daniel would be using the items to disguise himself during the heists.

The crime spree ended on Dec. 23, 2017, after the couple headed to the TCF Bank within the Algonquin Jewel-Osco, 103 S. Randall Road in Algonquin. Daniel Plushkis entered, told the teller he had a gun and then fled with $4,350 in cash. Jessica Plushkis was behind the wheel of their getaway vehicle when bystanders confronted her husband and an Algonquin-LITH Fire District employee nearby detained him for police. Jessica fled in her car but was soon pulled over by police as she was pulling out of the bank parking lot.

Both Jessica and Daniel Plushkis face a maximum of 20 years in prison on each count. A sentencing hearing for Jessica Plushkis has been set for May 28, and Daniel Plushkis is set to be sentenced on June 25.

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