Elusive Midday Bandit Robs 11th Bank: FBI

OAK LAWN, IL -- The elusive Midday Bandit added another notch to his crime spree on Thursday afternoon by robbing his eleventh bank since 2014.

The FBI believes the serial bank robber hit the MB Financial Bank branch at 9701 S. Cicero Ave., Oak Lawn.

• Also on Patch: Serial Bank Robber 'Midday Bandit' Strikes Again: FBI

Bank employees told the feds that a black man walked into the branch around 4:15 p.m. Thursday, and pushed a note to the teller stating it was stickup. The FBI described the heist as a non-takeover robbery. No weapon was displayed and there were no reports of injuries.

A police incident news feed service indicated the suspect may have fled northbound on Cicero Avenue in a gold Chevy Trailblazer, marking the first time a vehicle has been linked publicly to the Midday Bandit.

Known for wearing a variety of hats and glasses, the suspect in Thursday’s robbery was wearing a blue jacket with tan sleeves and a flat, black leather golf-style cap. Witnesses describe the Midday Bandit as male, black, in his mid 20s or mid-30s with facial hair, just under 6 feet tall, weighing approximately 160 pounds and weighing between 160 to 180 pounds.

The serial bank robber earned his monniker from the FBI because he usually strikes in the middle of the day. Although he hasn’t displayed a weapon, preferring to push notes and other passive demands, the FBI describes him as armed and dangerous.

This week marked the second time the Midday Bandit has visited Oak Lawn. His very first robbery on June 10, 2014 was at the TCF Bank, located inside Jewel-Osco at 8801 S. Ridgeland Ave., according to the FBI-run BanditTrackerChicago.

In addition to being tied to eleven bank robberies around the Chicago area, the FBI said the serial bank robber attempted to rob three other banks, but was scared off. The FBI has distributed fliers and press releases, including many high-quality surveillance photos, but so far he has been able to elude capture. The reward for information leading to his arrest is $10,000.

The FBI believes the suspect known as the Midday Bandit to be responsible for the following robberies:

1. TCF Bank 8801 S. Ridgeland, Oak Lawn, IL,. at 10:21 a.m., June 10, 2014.

2. TCF Bank. 1952 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL, 11:38 a.m. July 9, 2014.

3. TCF Bank. 6107 S. Archer Ave, Chicago, IL, 9:37 a.m. Aug. 18, 2014.

4. TCF Bank. 2301 N. Harlem. Chicago, IL, 12:50 p.m. Sept. 22, 2014.

5. Plaza Bank. 3555 N. Harlem. Chicago, IL, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 13, 2014.

6. Hoyne Savings Bank. 7001 W. Grand. Chicago, IL. Nov. 14, 2014.

7. TCF Bank. 2301 N. Harlem Ave., Chicago, IL, 1:47 p.m. July 17, 2015.

8. US Bank. 6020 W Roosevelt, Oak Park, IL, 4 p.m. Aug. 3, 2015.

9. Wintrust Bank. 3050 N. Harlem Ave., Chicago, IL, 3:11 p.m. Aug. 19, 2015.

10. BMO Harris. 5960 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago, IL, 11:37 a.m., Feb. 6, 2016.

11. MB Financial Bank, 9701 S. Cicero Ave., Oak Lawn, IL, 4:15 p.m. March 31.

Attempted to rob:

1. TCF Bank. 507 E. Woodlawn, LaGrange Park, IL, 10:42 a.m. July 16, 2014.

2. First Midwest Bank. 7181 W Irving Park, Chicago, IL, 9:22 a.m. Aug. 28, 2014.

3. US Bank, 6700 W. North Avenue, Chicago, IL, 9:46 a.m. Feb. 6, 2016.

Anyone recognizing the Midday Bandit or having information about his whereabouts is strongly encouraged to call local police or the Chicago office of the FBI at 312-421- 6700.

Visit BanditTrackerChicago for more information and photos.