Gunmen successfully hit two Chicago-area banks Monday, the fourth and fifth bank robberies of the new year.
The first occurred in Chicago at about 12:20 p.m. when a masked bandit displayed a nickel-plated handgun at the North Community Bank, 2800 N. Western Ave., before demanding that a teller put money into a white plastic bag he was carrying, FBI spokesman Bob Long said.
The gunman, who was wearing a black ski mask, fled across the street and south on Western Avenue. Police did not disclose how much he took.
The second robbery, apparently unrelated, was pulled shortly after 2 p.m. in southwest suburban Oak Lawn by a gunman of a different description.
Long said a lone gunman walked into the Oak Lawn branch of the Mt. Greenwood Bank, 10515 S. Cicero Ave., and opened his medium-length gray coat to display a revolver in his belt. He then handed an unidentified teller a note demanding money.
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The teller handed him about $3,100, which the gunman put into his pockets, according to Oak Lawn police.
Witnesses described the car to police as a tan compact with license plates bearing white numbers on a blue background, possibly from Michigan.
The robber was described as a white male in his mid-40s, from 6 feet to 6 feet 2 inches tall, and of medium build. He wore a blue knit cap, the gray coat and maroon pants, Long said.
Meanwhile, Lake Forest police disclosed that they arrested a 33-year-old Racine man Saturday and charged him with robbing the First Midwest Bank, 241 Deerpath Rd., Saturday morning.
According to Lake Forest Deputy Chief Michael Hosking, Javil T. Winston entered the bank at about 11:36 a.m. and gave a teller a note implying that he had a gun.