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Man held on $50,000 bail for Fox Lake bank theft Wednesday

A Fox Lake man is held in Lake County jail on $50,000 bail for entering a Grand Avenue bank, tossing a plastic bag at the teller and telling the victim to "fill it up."

Benjamin Pfeifer, 27, of the 0 to 100 block of Glen Avenue, has been charged with burglary and theft over $300 for taking money from the PNC Bank at 66 Grand Ave., at 3:38 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said.

Authorities said he left the bank with more than $2,600 in cash. He did not use force or threaten the teller with a weapon during the theft, authorities said.

During Pfeifer's bond hearing Thursday, prosecutors said the victim called police with a description of Pfeifer soon after he left the bank. He was arrested while walking on a nearby road with the plastic bag full of money, authorities said.

Pfeifer told Lake County Judge Dan Jasica during the bond hearing that he was a victim of "identity theft." He also said he should not be charged because it was "double jeopardy."

He is due back in court Oct. 28 for bond review.

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