Richmond bank robbery suspects indicted
Two men who were arrested during a McHenry County bank robbery attempt in which a third suspect was killed have been indicted on federal charges.
Aaron Russell, 40, of Orland Hills, and Roberto Favela, 34, of Chicago, are charged with attempted bank robbery, conspiracy to commit bank robbery and using firearms during a violent crime. Russell is also charged with illegally possession of a firearm by a felon.
They are scheduled to appear today before Judge Sheila Finnegan in federal district court in Chicago.
The men, along with a third accomplice, were confronted by FBI agents as they arrived at The Associated Bank in Richmond in two cars on May 10. The third man, Tony Starnes, 45, of Chicago, was shot to death by a federal agent after he drove one of the cars into an agent’s vehicle.
FBI agents had been investigating Russell and others and had followed them from Chicago, according to a criminal complaint.
When arrested, Russell and Favela were in possession of four loaded guns, authorities said. Russell had three of the guns, authorities said.
Of the charges, attempted bank robbery carries the harshest penalty with a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. Each charge also carries a maximum $250,000 fine.