Suspect Apprehended In Niles Bank Robbery
NILES, Ill. (CBS) -- The FBI has apprehended a suspect in a bank robbery in Niles, after a TV viewer recognized him and tipped off agents.
The robbery occurred Nov. 16 at 6:50 p.m., just before closing time, at the TCF branch at 7759 N. Milwaukee Ave., according to a release from the FBI.
A man entered the bank and approached a counter where three bank employees were preparing to close. He ordered them to put money from the vault into a fabric shopping bag. After getting more than $200,000 in cash, he fled the bank and was last seen running through the bank parking lot toward Milwaukee Avenue.
No injuries were reported.
The FBI said a major break in the case came when a tip was received from someone who recognized Marcel R. Herrera while watching TV news accounts of the robbery that included surveillance photos. The subsequent investigation by the FBI, Cook County Sheriff's office and Niles police developed additional evidence linking Herrera to the robbery and the filing of charges announced on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, a search warrant was executed at Herrera's residence, according to the complaint. When agents first knocked and announced their presence, Herrera attempted to flee out the back door, where he was caught and detained.
Herrera was formally charged at a hearing before Magistrate Judge Arlander Keys late Tuesday, and was ordered held without bond, pending his next court appearance Friday. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
