Authorities: Wood Dale bank robber strikes again

Officials believe a man suspected of robbing banks in Rolling Meadows and Wood Dale earlier this year has struck again in Wood Dale.

According to the FBI’s BanditTrackerChicago.com website, the man, who is believed to be between 50 and 60 years old, robbed the Charter One Bank, 333 E. Irving Park Road, in Wood Dale on Friday.

Wood Dale Police Chief Greg Vesta said the suspect implied he had a gun but didn’t show it in Friday’s robbery and was last seen walking north from the bank before disappearing quickly.

“We were in the area within 30 seconds of the dispatch and set up a perimeter,” Vesta said. “But we never saw the suspect.”

The man is suspected of having robbed another Charter One branch at 3901 Kirchoff Road in Rolling Meadows on April 19 and a branch of BMO Harris Bank at 130 E. Devon Ave. in Wood Dale on Feb. 15, according to the FBI.

In the February robbery, the man showed a silver semiautomatic handgun, according to the website.

Vesta said his officers have been keeping an eye out for the suspect and circulating his photo since the February holdup. The Wood Dale officers are also directed to be more visible around potential targets, especially during the holidays.

“We tell our officers, if they have paperwork or reports to do, go sit and do them in a bank or business and be visible,” Vesta said. “If they’re in their cars doing reports, we advise them to park at a bank and be visible there too.”