N. Chicago man accused of Waukegan bank robbery

A 30-year-old North Chicago man tried to open up an account at a Waukegan bank - even going so far as to provide an ID card and Social Security number - before leaving and coming back soon after to rob the bank, federal authorities said Friday.

William Rozelle, of the 2200 block of Kristan Avenue, was charged with the robbery in a one-count criminal complaint filed Friday in federal court.

The FBI says Rozelle entered the TCF Bank branch at 927 N. Green Bay Road in Waukegan on Wednesday morning and spoke with a teller about opening checking and savings accounts. After presenting his ID card and providing a Social Security number, he was told of a fee required to open the accounts. He then told the teller he was going to get money from his car, according to a news release.

He returned a short time later, just after 10 a.m., and told the teller he was robbing the bank, presenting a handwritten note that demanded $150,000, and indicated he was armed with a gun, the release stated.

Rozelle then pulled a large knife from his sweatshirt, held it to the teller's side, and led her and another teller to the bank's vault, the FBI said.

Authorities say he ordered the tellers to put cash from the vault into a backpack and then told them to get into the vault, but changed his mind when they said the vault was too small and they wouldn't be able to breathe in it.

Rozelle was held pending his next court appearance, which hasn't yet been determined.

If found guilty, he could face up to 20 years in prison.