FBI wants to make bank robbers Web stars

Bank robbers love being obscure. The last thing they want is to find themselves stars of the Internet.

Chicago's FBI-led violent crimes task force, however, is launching a Web site designed to give this city's bank robbers the prominence lawmen say they deserve.

The site www.bandittrackerchicago.com will feature photos taken by bank video cameras and other pictures of robbers if the FBI can get them, special agent in charge Robert Grant said Wednesday.

Getting the faces of robbers before the public is likely to produce tips for agents investigating holdups and alert bank workers to be watchful, Grant said.

The more people see the photos "the better chance we have of getting some dangerous people off the street," he said.

The Web site is sponsored by the Chicago violent crimes task force, which consists of the FBI, the Cook County sheriff's police and the Chicago police.

It is being developed by the agencies and Electronic Tracking Systems of Dallas. Similar sites have been launched in other parts of the country, the first in 2007 by Electronic Tracking Systems for the FBI and the North Texas Crime Commission.

Bank robberies have been a growing problem in the Chicago area in recent years. The record was 284 set in 2006. Last year, the total was 277 and the FBI has counted 87 to date in 2009.

The announcement came one day after a bank robbery in south suburban Calumet City, followed by a high-speed expressway chase that ended in a crash and shootout. One alleged bandit and one officer were shot, although their injuries were not life-threatening.

One alleged bandit was captured at the scene of the crash and two others were caught later. They appeared Wednesday before a judge who ordered all three jailed pending a hearing next Tuesday.