Man convicted as getaway driver in DuPage bank robberies

A federal jury has convicted the getaway driver in a string of bank robberies in Lisle, Westmont and neighboring suburbs starting in 2021.

After a week-long trial in federal court in Chicago, the jury on Wednesday convicted Tarandle Lee, 45, of Bolingbrook, on all four robbery counts against him. His friend, Charles Lawler, 54, of Villa Park, pleaded guilty before trial to the first three robberies and stipulated his role in the final two.

U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois said in a news release that Lee served as the driver while Lawler entered the financial institutions and presented demand notes. Together, the pair robbed three banks and a credit union. Lawler also robbed an additional bank by himself, authorities said.

According to the release, Lawler robbed BMO Harris Bank in Naperville on Sept. 22, 2021; Lawler and Lee robbed Old Second Bank in Lisle on Sept. 28, 2021; Lawler and Lee robbed Bank Financial in Westmont on Oct. 6, 2021; Lawler and Lee robbed BMO Harris Bank in Woodridge on Jan. 3, 2022; and also robbed DuPage Credit Union in Downers Grove on April 14, 2022.

Lee faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each of the four robberies he committed, while Lawler faces up to 20 years for each of the three robberies to which he pleaded guilty.

U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman has not yet set Lee’s sentencing date. Lawler is set to be sentenced on March 11.