Crystal Lake man sought in attempted Wauconda bank heist

An arrest warrant has been issued for a Crystal Lake man who police say tried to rob a Wauconda bank with a fake bomb in February.

Robert McIntyre, 57, of the 700 block of Oak Court, didn't get any cash in the Feb. 9 heist at Wauconda Community Bank, 495 W. Liberty St. He is charged in the federal warrant with one count of attempted bank robbery.

McIntyre is currently hospitalized for an undisclosed condition and will be arrested when discharged, according to FBI spokesman Special Agent Ross Rice.

McIntyre tried to rob the bank Feb. 9 because of personal financial problems, said Wauconda Police Chief Douglas Larsson.

McIntyre entered the bank wearing a wig, a fake beard, sunglasses and a hooded sweatshirt, Larsson said. He gave a package and flowers to a receptionist and said they were for the bank president, police said.

McIntyre and the president have a business relationship, Larsson said.

Inside the package was a note claiming the package was a bomb, police said. The note included instructions that said once money was delivered to a specific location, directions for diffusing the bomb would be released, authorities said at the time.

The bank staff evacuated the building and called police. Officers from several area departments responded, and a bomb squad from the Waukegan Fire Department determined the device wasn't an actual bomb. In fact, it was two soda cans and some wiring, Larsson said.

Working with the FBI, police targeted McIntyre after witnesses saw the suspect leave the bank. Police also recovered video of McIntyre buying flowers before the attempted robbery at a Crystal Lake supermarket, Larsson said.

Additionally, police recovered the fake beard and wig. They were able to match DNA from perspiration left behind on the disguise with McIntyre's DNA after a warrant for his DNA was issued in May, Larsson said.

Police interviewed McIntyre twice, most recently in mid-May, and he knows he's a suspect, Larsson said.

"He made statements that supported all of the evidence we had, and he gave information that only the robber would know," Larsson said.

He praised the FBI for its assistance.