2 Oak Brook robbery suspects nabbed

Two Chicago men each face one felony charge of bank robbery following an armed heist Tuesday at the Fifth Third Bank branch at 1603 West 16th St. in Oak Brook, authorities said Friday.

Kenneth R. Holeman, 46, of 7030 S. Paulina Ave., and Harvester L. Smith, 35, of 6825 S. Wood St., both were arrested peacefully by FBI special agents, Oak Brook and Chicago police officers.

Officials found Smith Wednesday near his home, while Holeman was apprehended Friday morning near 7100 S. Ashland Ave. in Chicago.

Authorities said Holeman entered the bank just after noon Tuesday, approached a teller and asked for change. He then announced a robbery and demanded all the money from the teller drawer, police said.

He threatened the teller with harm and implied he was armed with a handgun. After obtaining nearly $3,500 in cash, police said Holeman fled to a waiting minivan. Witnesses gave investigators the license plate number of the getaway vehicle, which later was traced to Smith, police said.

Although only charged with the Oak Brook robbery, authorities said Holeman also is a suspect in the Sept. 2 robbery of the Northern Trust Bank branch, at 1 Oak Brook Terrace Drive, Oak Brook Terrace.

Smith was ordered held without bond, pending his next court appearance at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago. Holeman was scheduled to appear in court late Friday. If convicted, both men face up to 20 years in prison.