Chicago Man Accused Of Impersonating Account Holder At Bank, Fleeing, Injuring Cop

PALOS HEIGHTS, IL—A Chicago man is accused of attempting to defraud a Palos Heights bank by impersonating an account holder. Ladarius C. Bell, 29, is facing felony charges of aggravated battery to a police officer, wire fraud, possession of a fictitious identification card, and resisting arrest.

Palos Heights police officers were dispatched to Old National Bank at 126th Street and Harlem Avenue around 3:45 p.m. Feb. 10, for a deceptive practice in progress. A bank teller reported that a man was inside the bank trying to impersonate an account holder by presenting a fake ID card to withdraw $2,000 from the account holder’s account, police said. The teller was able to provide a detailed physical description, which was relayed to the responding officers.

When the first officer arrived at the bank, a man matching the teller’s description, later identified as Bell, was observed leaving the bank, police said. Officers tried to detain Bell, but police said he hit the officer, initiating a foot pursuit. Bell was spotted entering a waiting vehicle in an attempt to escape, police said. While attempting to prevent Bell’s escape, police said the officer suffered minor injuries. Both Bell and the vehicle were able to flee the scene, according to police.

Officers remained on the scene and conducted a thorough investigation with bank staff. It was determined that Bell had allegedly presented a fictitious Illinois driver’s license bearing the account holder’s name but bearing Bell’s picture. Bell also appeared on bank security video showing him entering the facility, where police said he presented his fake ID, and completed a withdrawal slip. Police said Bell received a phone call shortly before leaving the bank and fleeing as officers arrived.

Investigators were able to identify Bell using the fraudulent identification image and surveillance footage. The bank teller later positively identified Bell in a photo lineup, police said. Further investigation also revealed that Bell was involved in a similar incident earlier that afternoon at another Old National Bank branch in Bridgeview, where police said approximately $2,100 was successfully withdrawn.

Palos Heights police shared Bell’s information with other area police departments.

Bell was taken into custody Tuesday by Evergreen Park police. He was taken to the Palos Heights police station. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the felony charges. Bell appeared for a pre-detention hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.