Crime & Safety

'Benchwarmer Bandit' Strikes Fourth North Side Bank, FBI Says

FBI believes same man is responsible for robbing four Chicago banks in past two weeks.


Just in time for the start of the Cubs’ 2014 season, a bandit dubbed the “Benchwarmer,” robbed his fourth North Side bank on Saturday, thus earning himself a nickname by the FBI, reports say.

“The Benchwarmer”--not to be confused with the “Shady Bandit,” an alleged female robber who likes to wear fashionable sunglasses while robbing banks-- has robbed three TCF bank branches.

The latest robbery happened shortly before 10 a.m. Saturday, at a Citibank branch at 3128 N. Ashland Ave. in Lake View, according to the FBI.

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A weapon was not displayed in the Citibank robbery, the FBI said.

The FBI believes the same man is responsible for three other robberies that occurred at TCF bank branches located inside Jewel Food Stores, including:

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  • TCF Bank  at 3531 N. Broadway. Chicago, around 9:45 a.m. March 16;

  • TCF Bank. 4355 N Sheridan Road, around 9:02 a.m. March 21;;

  • TCF Bank. 2940 N Ashland Ave, around 9:37 a.m. March 24.

  • “The Benchwarmer Bandit” is pictured on BanditTrackerChicago attired in a variety of hoodies. The robberies are described as “non-takeover” meaning that no overt force was used. He appears to have a beard in surveillance photos.

    He is described as a Hispanic male in his late 20s to early 30s, with a slim build, about 5-foot-9 to 6 feet tall. He wears hooded jackets, hence the name “Benchwarmer,” and has brown eyes and brown hair.

    A $5,000 reward is being offered leading to the arrest and conviction of the alleged Benchwarmer Bandit. 

    Anyone with information regarding these bank robberies or others, is asked to contact the FBI’s Chicago office at 312-421-6700.



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