Inside the 'Black Cap Bandit' Bank Heists: FEDS

An alleged serial bank robber dubbed the “Black Cap Bandit” was arrested May 28 after an acquaintance recognized him from news media reports, the Chicago FBI Division announced.

Roderick V. Burton, 48, of the 6700 block of South Emerald Avenue, Chicago, appeared in federal court last Friday where he was charged with one count of bank robbery.

Nicknamed the “Black Cap Bandit” for the black chapeau that he allegedly wore in a string of bank heists, Burton was charged for the New Year’s Eve 2014 robbery of the TCF Bank branch at 3570 North Elston Ave. in Chicago.

According to the criminal complaint, Burton entered the Elston Avenue TCF Bank branch around 11:10 a.m. Dec. 31, 2014. An employee told authorities that the suspected bandit slid a note written in all caps, which stated: “GIVE ME ALL THE 100s AND ALL THE 50s FROM THE BIG DRAWER. DO IT NOW. THIS IS A STICK UP.”

>>>RELATED: Man Robbed TCF Bank Inside Jewel Osco on S. Pulaski Road

Federal authorities said that when the employee told suspect there were no hundred dollar bills and started grabbing twenties, Burton said, “Give me 100s before I go crazy in here.”

Burton is suspected of robbing a total of five banks in Oak Lawn, Burbank, Calumet City and Chicago between September 2014 and December 2014. At least three of the bank branches were located inside of Jewel Food Stores, and in some, he wore disguises, the FBI said.

In the Oak Lawn bank robbery, Burton is accused of entering the TCF Bank branch inside of the Jewel supermarket at 9424 S. Pulaski Ave. around 10:50 a.m. Oct. 20, 2014. When the suspected bandit slipped a note through the teller window, the employee asked him if he was “being serious.”

Burton allegedly responded, “I’m not playing … I want all hundreds too,” as the employee was gathering the cash. The feds said that Burton then placed $1,476 in his shirt pocket and left the store.

A few weeks later around 2:50 p.m. on Oct. 29, 2014, the suspected bandit entered the Burbank TCF Bank branch inside another Jewel at 7910 S. Cicero Ave. Burton walked up to a bank representative and presented a demand note on a yellow piece of paper written in thick black pencil stating, “Give me all you got,” according to court records.

>>>RELATED: Jewel TCF Bank Bandit Strikes Again in Burbank

While assembling the cash the employee asked the suspect, “How are you doing?” The employee also tried to slip an anti-theft device into the cash. The FBI said that Burton found the device as he was counting out the money and threw it back at the employee. The suspect got away with $452 in cash.

Burton’s bank robbery spree is believed to have begun on Sept. 25, 2014 at the TCF Bank branch located at 3400 N. Western Ave., where he allegedly took $1,600.

Burton is also believed to have robbed the Standard Bank and Trust inside a grocery store at 1968 Sibley Ave., Calumet City on Nov. 6, 2014, where he got away with approximately $1,510.

In each robbery, witnesses gave a general description of a black male in his 40s or 50s, about 6’3” tall, with a heavy build, wide nose, acne marks on his face, and wearing an oversized jacket and black cap. In some instances, employees said that suspect wore a black beard that appeared to be fake.

Shortly after local TV news stations began airing FBI-provided bank surveillance photos in March, a “Confidential Human Source” saw the photos on TV and contacted the FBI, hearing that a reward was being offered the bandit’s capture.

The source identified the suspect in surveillance photos from three of the five robberies, as well as jewelry, sunglasses and clothing worn by the bandit in the robberies. Bank employees from the various robberies also picked Burton out of photo lineups, according to court records.

Burton was at home when authorities arrived at his residence on May 22. Authorities said that Burton was wearing jewelry similar to that worn in the robberies. They also found other distinctive accessories in Burton’s home, including a receipt from a costume shop dated Dec. 23, 2014 for the purchase of spirit gum, a wig, prosthetic nose and fake beard.

Burton is due back in court on June 11. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

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