Third suspect arrested this morning in Elgin bank robbery
A third suspect has been arrested in the robbery of the Elgin State Bank Wednesday afternoon.
Elgin police and FBI agents combed a wooded area with police dogs while helicopters searched overheard for about five hours Wednesday night after an armed bank robber ran from a getaway vehicle.
However, Elgin Police spokeswoman Susan Olafson said early Thursday the third suspect was apprehended after the investigation into his whereabouts led police to Batavia.
Olafson did not release the identity of the third suspect.
Two of the man's accomplices in the robbery of Elgin State Bank, 590 N. McLean Blvd. were caught shortly after the 4:45 p.m. heist, police confirmed.
Police sent a reverse 911 call to more than 4,000 households telling residents in the area of Big Timber Road and McLean Boulevard to lock their doors and windows and stay inside during the search.
Police stopped the suspect's four-door getaway car about two blocks north west of the bank shortly after the armed robbery. One of the suspects in custody was arrested in the vehicle, and the second was caught after a short foot chase, according to police.
As of 9:20 p.m., Elgin police released a statement that the suspect was likely no longer in the area of the search.
“For practical purposes, we believe the suspect is no longer in the area,” said Elgin police spokeswoman Sue Olafson at about 10 p.m. “There are varying suspicions on where he might be, but we don't want to compromise the investigation.”
The manhunt involved at least one state police helicopter and delayed trains on the Metra Milwaukee District West Line for about 30 minutes.
Police are asking residents to call 911 if they witness anything out of the ordinary.
The FBI is handling the case, and could not be reached for comment late Wednesday about when charges would be filed.
Conversations over the police scanner indicated two white men with masks entered the bank and pointed a black handgun at a teller at about 4:45 p.m.
A black duffle bag was recovered on McLean Boulevard shortly after the robbery.
Elgin officials said they were receiving some complaints from residents who had signed up to receive the reverse 911 alert, did not received a call or text during the search.
“We are looking into it,” Olafson said.