Police say local bank heists may be linked to each other

The FBI is investigating a possible connection between Wednesday's bank heist in Hoffman Estates and one last week in Arlington Heights.

Both involved men wearing black ski masks, armed with handguns. The suspect escaped with an undisclosed amount of money in the Hoffman Estates incident, while coming away without any money in Arlington Heights.

"We aren't sure at this point," FBI spokeswoman Cynthia Yates said. "But it's something we are checking into."

A masked gunman entered the Hoffman Estates Community Bank, 2497 W. Golf Road, at around 4:50 p.m. Wednesday, with a black handgun and demanded money from a teller, police said.

Hoffman Estates police describe the suspect as being 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall with a medium build. He was wearing a red ski-type jacket with a Marlboro logo.

Meanwhile, Arlington Heights police Wednesday released camera footage from the Nov. 5 attempted robbery at the Ben Franklin Bank at 830 E. Kensington Road.

Witnesses described that suspect as weighing 180 pounds and standing 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet tall. The man was wearing a gray shirt.

Anyone with information is asked to call Arlington Heights police at (847) 590-STOP or Hoffman Estates police at (847) 882-1818.

• Daily Herald staff writer Lee Filas contributed to this report.

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