Statute of limitations expires on Wheaton Bandit
The infamous “Wheaton Bandit,” who is accused of robbing as many as 16 suburban banks since 2002, but has never been caught, will walk free.
Despite a $50,000 reward for his arrest, the statute of limitations expired Wednesday at midnight, meaning the bandit who last struck on Dec. 7, 2006 at the Glen Ellyn Bank and Trust cannot be charged for any of the crimes.
The man who stole about $150,000 from the 16 banks became known as the Wheaton Bandit because seven of his first eight heists were in the city.
Although the man typically wore a dark ski mask or hood when he entered the banks, a witness caught a glimpse of his face moments before a Fifth Third Bank branch robbery in Winfield in 2006.
Authorities said the 25 to 35 year old white man who was at least 5 feet, 10 inches is thought to have law enforcement or military training because of the way he handled his semiautomatic handgun.
The man always entered the banks alone and ordered everyone but a lone teller to the floor, according to the FBI, and was usually gone in 60 seconds.
No injuries were reported at any of the robberies.