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Suspect charged in Des Plaines bank robbery attempt

A Kentucky man who authorities say attempted to rob a Des Plaines bank faces federal charges.

The U.S. attorney’s office announced that the man suspected of being the “Elmer Fudd Bandit” was charged with robbing four banks in the area, in addition to trying to rob the Des Plaines bank branch.

The indictment agaainst Todd Berkley, 40, of Clarkson, Ky., alleges he committed robberies at the following banks in 2012:

Ÿ TCF Bank at 4734 N. Cumberland Ave., Chicago, on Oct. 13.

Ÿ Charter One Bank at 4411 N. Cumberland Ave., Norridge, on Oct. 15.

Ÿ TCF Bank at 7122 W. 40th St., Stickney, on Oct. 24.

Ÿ TCF Bank at 7342 W. Foster Ave., Chicago, on Oct. 29.

In addition, Berkley was charged with the attempted robbery of the TCF branch located at 819 S. Elmhurst Road in Des Plaines on Oct. 14, 2012.

At the time of the robberies, the FBI attributed them to a balding, middle-aged man who wore plaid flannel shirts and a baseball cap during heists.

The FBI believed the robber bore a resemblance to Bugs Bunny’s on-screen nemesis.

Berkley was arrested in Kentucky in November 2012 after he was accused of robbing a U.S. Bank branch in Louisville. He remains in custody in Kentucky. No local court dates have been scheduled.

Each of the new charges filed against Berkley carries a possible maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Ÿ Daily Herald news services contributed to this report.

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