'This Is A Stickup; Don't Make It A Murder:' Aurora Bank Robbed

AURORA, IL — A man is in custody after he allegedly robbed an Aurora Bank by intimidation Thursday. Firefighters pursued and helped detain Lester N. Bernard after police say he used a threatening note that read, "This is a stickup; don't make it a murder" to rob nearly $3,400 from the BMO Harris Bank located at 1252 N. Lake St.

Federal officials say Bernard entered the bank around 3 p.m., went to the deposit slip counter, then approached a teller with a note he had written on the back of a deposit slip. According to police, the note read, "This is a stickup; don't make it a murder! I have a gun! Put the cash in the bag on the counter! No dye packs or u [sic] die! And no sudden movements."

The victim told police that Bernard then said out loud, "I have a gun. Give me the money. Don't look at the security guard."

The teller then reportedly put $3,393 in cash in a bag Bernard had set on the counter.

When Bernard began to exit with the money, the bank's assets protection officer followed him outside and began to pursue him on foot. Two firefighters who were in the bank parking lot joined the assets protection officer in chasing Bernard.

Bernard was caught in a nearby parking lot and detained until Aurora police got to the scene.

Following the incident, law enforcement interviewed the teller and reviewed surveillance footage that they say showed the robber with an appearance, clothing, and tattoos that matched Bernard's, leading to charges of bank robbery by intimidation against him.

Images via FBI Chicago