McHenry County Blog

Here’s is the complaint filed by FBI Special Agent Terrance Heatherman in the Richmond bank robbery attempt. It was signed by Magistrate P. Michael Mahoney of Rockford.

A press release from the Chicago Office of the FBI:

CHARGES FILED IN CONNECTION WITH FBI SHOOTING INCIDENT

Cory B. Nelson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Gary S. Shapiro, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, announced the filing of charges against two individuals involved in an incident that led to the fatal shooting of a third individual.

AARON RUSSELL, 40, of 9200 Hunter Drive, Orland Hills, IL, and ROBERTO FAVELA, 34, of 5547 South California Avenue, Chicago, were charged in a criminal complaint filed late yesterday in US District Court in Rockford with one count of Attempted Bank Robbery, a felony offense.

According to the complaint, FBI Special Agents have been investigating Russell and others in connection with a number of armed robberies of Chicago area jewelry stores as well as the armed robbery of a bank that occurred February 2, 2013, in Poplar Grove, IL.

The complaint alleges that yesterday morning law enforcement observed Favela driving a Chevy Tahoe and TONY STARNES, 45, of 7836 South Marquette Avenue, Chicago, driving a Honda Civic that had been reported stolen to Chicago Police Department late last year.

A license plate observed on the Honda Civic had also been reported stolen.

The complaint states that the two vehicles were seen traveling from the Chicago area to a location just across the Illinois-Wisconsin border.

At that location, Russell was seen getting out of the Tahoe driven by Favela and getting into the back seat of the Honda Civic driven by Starnes.

The two vehicles were then seen driving to Richmond, Illinois, and ultimately to a parking lot in front of the Associated Bank at 10910 North Main Street in Richmond, Illinois.

The complaint alleges that shortly after the Honda Civic pulled into the parking lot, it was surrounded by Special Agents who identified themselves as law enforcement.

The complaint further alleges that the Honda Civic then rammed an Agent’s vehicle, and that law enforcement then shot and killed the driver, Starnes.

Russell, allegedly wearing gloves and a face mask around his neck, was removed from the back seat of the Honda Civic and taken into custody.

Favela, who was still in the driver’s seat of the Tahoe in another area of the parking lot, was arrested by law enforcement at the same time.

Both men appeared this morning before US Magistrate Judge Michael T. Mason, at which time they were formally charged and ordered held pending their next court appearance, scheduled to take place next Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. in US District Court in Rockford.

In announcing the charges today, Mr. Nelson acknowledged the many law enforcement partners who lent resources and provided invaluable assistance during the course of the investigation and especially following yesterday’s events.

He thanked the Chicago, Richmond and Spring Grove (Illinois) Police Departments, the Richmond Fire Department and the McHenry County, Will County and Boone County Sheriff’s Offices.

If convicted of the charges filed against them, Russell and Favela each face a possible maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and up to three years of supervised release.

The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt, and that all defendants in a criminal case are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

A press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office:

ROUND LAKE BEACH MAN SENTENCED TO MORE THAN 5 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR ROBBERY OF FIFTH THIRD BANK IN ALGONQUIN

Algonquin Police Chief Russ Laine was given credit in the press release.

ROCKFORD — A Round Lake Beach, Ill. man was sentenced today in federal court for bank robbery.

The defendant, Mohammed Nusrath Ali Khan, 42, was sentenced before U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Kapala to 62 months in federal prison for the robbery of the Fifth Third Bank, 450 South Randall Road, Algonquin, Ill., on May 23, 2012.

In addition, the court also ordered Khan to pay restitution of $5,211 to Fifth Third Bank.

Khan pled guilty to the charge on Nov. 20, 2012. According to the written plea agreement, On May 23, 2012, at approximately 4:45 p.m., Khan entered the Fifth Third Bank branch on South Randall Road and approached a bank teller. Khan admitted that when he entered the bank, he had a BB gun concealed in the waistband of his pants under his shirt.

Khan handed the Teller a note which stated that this was a robbery and demanded money.

The note further stated Khan was armed with a gun and that the Teller was not to

• make a scene
• give him any “dye packs,” or
• activate any alarms

or the defendant would shoot her.

Gary Shapiro

The Teller gave Khan $5,211 of the bank’s money from her teller drawer. Khan retrieved the note from the teller and then walked out of the bank. Khan has been in federal custody since his arrest by the Skokie Police Department on June 8, 2012.

The sentencing was announced by Gary S. Shapiro, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Thomas R. Trautmann, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of Federal Bureau of Investigation; Russell Laine, Chief of the Algonquin Police Department; and Anthony Scarpelli, Chief of the Skokie Police Department.

The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Pedersen.

Zane Seipler

Dated August 11th, with a stamped July 31st signature from Sheriff Keith Nygren, the man who fired him, a settlement agreement has authorized the payment for the time Zane Seipler was off work, plus medical expenses that would have been otherwise covered by McHenry County health benefits.

Seipler was out of work for three years and four months–from November 17, 2008, to March 19, 2012–as Sheriff Nygren ignored decisions that he should be reinstated by

• an outside arbitrator authorized by the union contract he signed,
• an administrative review decision by Associate Judge Thomas Meyer and
• a decision by the 2nd Appellate Court sitting in Elgin

and even took more time to punish Seipler by unsuccessfully appealing to the Illinois Supreme Court to review the arbitrator’s decision still again.

That appeal was shot down, just as the earlier efforts did.

Seipler got two checks:

• $88,360.90
• $5,441.63

“The smaller amount was a refund for the difference in medical insurance premiums paid by Officer Seipler during his suspension,” the McHenry County Freedom of Information Officer explained.

$62,430 was deducted from the total amount of past due salary to repay the Unemployment Compensation benefits Seipler received while off work.

While not working, Seipler ran unsuccessfully against Nygren in the 2010 Republican Primary Election and sued seeking a Special Prosecutor be appointed to investigate whether Nygren had used taxpayer resources to advance his political campaign.

Judge Meyer, also adjudicating this case, ruled that McHenry County State’s Attorney could perform such a probe, if he wished.

2000 N Richmond Rd, McHenry, IL.

A press release from the McHenry Police Department:

“The McHenry Police Department is investigating a bank robbery at Charter One Bank (2058 N. Richmond Road).

“The offender was described as a white male, 30 – 40 years of age, 5’7” to 5’9” in height, with a thin build.

“He was described as wearing long dark shorts, black gloves and an off-white shirt with long sleeves.

“The offender wore a tan in color beanie style hat that was pulled over his face as a mask.

“Nobody was injured during this incident.

“Instructions:

“If anyone has any information on this incident, please contact the McHenry Police Department’s Investigations section at 815-363-2143. If you wish to remain anonymous, please contact ther police department’s Confidential Tip Line at 815-363-2124.”

A press release from the McHenry County State’s Attorney:

MARK KOZIK SENTENCED TO EIGHTEEN YEARS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR ARMED ROBBERY

Louis A. Bianchi, McHenry County State’s Attorney, announces that Mark C. Kozik, 36, previously of Spring Grove, was sentenced yesterday to eighteen years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the Class X felony offense of Armed Robbery following a negotiated plea.

Defendant admitted to robbing the Payday Loan Store in McHenry Illinois in December of 2006.

Defendant is currently serving a sentence in the Federal Penitentiary for bank robbery that occurred near the time of the instant offense.

His projected federal parole date is January 30, 2029. This case was investigated by Detective John Birk of the McHenry Police Department.

There was further cooperation with the Crystal Lake Police Department, Fox Lake Police Department, and Antioch Police Department.

his case was prosecuted for the State by Assistant State’s Attorney Sharyl Eisenstein.

A press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office:

CRYSTAL LAKE WOMAN SENTENCED TO 18 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON
FOR THE ROBBERY OF CHASE BANK IN CARY, ILLINOIS

Silk Lumpkins sees the Cary bank has a bowl of lollipops and decides to take one.

ROCKFORD – PATRICK J. FITZGERALD, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; ROBERT D. GRANT, Special Agent-In-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; RONALD K. LUKASIK, Chief of the Fox River Grove Police Department; and STEVEN CASSTEVENS, Chief of the Cary Police Department, today made the following announcement:

Today, in Rockford federal court, United States District Judge Philip G. Reinhard sentenced SILK P. LUMPKINS, 36, of Crystal Lake, Illinois, to 18 months in federal prison for the May 26, 2010, robbery of Chase Bank, 300 Northwest Highway, Cary, Illinois.

Lumpkins pled guilty on February 16, 2011.

]In pleading guilty, Lumpkins admitted that at about 2:20 p.m. on May 26, 2010, she entered Chase Bank wearing a disguise consisting of heavy covering make-up on her face and hands, a long blonde wig, long-sleeved shirt, and a baseball cap.

Silk Lumpkins hands over the robbery note.

Lumpkins further admitted that she wrote a note at the self-service desk ,approached a teller at the counter, and handed the note to the teller that stated something to the effect of:

“If you don’t want to die today, give me all your money. You have 30 seconds to do this.”

According to the plea agreement, the teller then removed $5,876 from her drawer and handed the money to Lumpkins. Lumpkins then put the money into a blue “Chase” deposit bag that she brought with her and walked out of the bank with the bag.

Lumpkins was arrested on June 2, 2010.

 

Silk Lumpkins waits for the money.

In addition to the 18 month prison sentence, Lumpkins was ordered to serve 3 years of supervised release following her release from prison.

The court further ordered Lumpkins to serve the first 6 months of her supervised release in home confinement with electronic monitoring.

The court also ordered Lumpkins to pay restitution to Chase Bank in the total amount of $5,876.

The case was investigated by the Rockford Office of the FBI, the Fox River Grove Police Department and the Cary Police Department.

The case was prosecuted in federal court by Assistant United States Attorney SCOTT A. VERSEMAN.

The following press release has been received from the State’s Attorney’s Office:

HINKLEY MAN SENTENCED TO 5 YEARS IN PRISON FOR ATTEMPT ARMED ROBBERY OF BANK

Louis A. Bianchi, McHenry County State’s Attorney, announces that twenty year old Matthew Reno was sentenced to five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the March 24, 2008 attempted robbery of the Midwest Bank in Union, IL.

Witness testimony during the three day jury trial revealed that the defendant, while armed with a handgun, attempted to take money from a bank teller before being tackled to the ground by a customer inside the bank.

The defendant ran from the scene and was able to escape, only to be apprehended by police at a later time.

Evidence was also presented in the form of cellular telephone records showing that the defendant’s cell phone was used near the bank a short time after the attempted robbery.

Reno faced a sentence of either probation or between four and fifteen years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

The lead prosecutor on the case was Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Combs.

A day room at the McHenry County Jail.

What follows is a press release from the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office concerning the Union bank robber. The same guy was acquitted in a Huntley bank robbery.

MATTHEW RENO CONVICTED OF ATTEMPT ARMED ROBBERY

Louis A. Bianchi, McHenry County State’s Attorney, announces that Matthew Reno, of Hinckley Illinois, was convicted today of the offense of Attempt Armed Robbery, which was committed on March 24, 2008 at the Midwest Bank in Union, IL.

The jury deliberated approximately two and one half hours before delivering the verdict.

After the verdict Judge Joseph Condon revoked the defendant’s bond and remanded him into custody.

The evidence presented consisted of

• testimony of a co-defendant,
• a bank teller and
• cellular telephone records, which placed the defendant in the vicinity of the crime scene.

The bank teller testified that a masked gunman pointed a gun at her and demanded money and the co-defendant testified that he acted as a get-away driver.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorneys Jeff Bora and Michael Combs.

The defendant will be sentenced on October 1st, 2010 at 1:30 pm.

Crystal Lake resident Silk Pauline Lumpkins was arrested today in Fox River Grove. She spent the money “to buy clothes, shoes, food, and bike for her children,” according to the affidavit of FBI Special Agent Herbert E. Hogberg, III, which is below:

I, HERBERT E. HOGBERG, III, personally appearing before United States
Magistrate Judge P. Michael Mahoney and being duly sworn on oath state as follows:

1. I am a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

2. The information set forth in this affidavit includes information provided to me by other law enforcement officers and agents and my own personal observations and interviews of witnesses.

3. I have been informed that on May 26, 2010, the Chase Bank, located 300 Northwest Highway, in Cary, Illinois, was robbed. The robber entered the bank at approximately 2:20 p.m. The robber first went to a self-service desk and began writing on a piece of paper. The robber crumpled this first piece of paper and then began writing on a second piece of paper.

When she finished writing, the robber approached the teller station of the victim teller (Teller #1). After exchanging a few words with Teller #1, the robber handed Teller #1 a note which said something to the effect of:

“If you don’t want to die today, give me all your money. You have 30 seconds to do this.”

The teller then removed $5,876 in cash from her drawer and handed the money to the robber. The robber then placed the money into a blue “Chase” deposit bag that she had brought with her. The robber took the bag and walked out of the bank.

4. I have interviewed Teller #1. Teller #1 stated that the robber appeared to be a white female, but possibly could have been a man dressed as a woman. Teller #1 stated that the robber was approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall and had long blonde hair. Teller #1 further stated that the robber was hearing heavy covering make-up on face, as if covering burns or acne scars black. Teller #1 further stated that the robber was wearing a black baseball cap, black gloves, and a red flannel long sleeve shirt

5. I have personally observed still photographs of the May 26, 2010, robbery taken by Chase Bank’s surveillance camera. The robber appears to have long blonde hair.

The photos also show that the robber is wearing a dark colored baseball cap with a distinctive insignia on the front. In addition, the photos show a blue bank deposit bag lying on the teller counter between the robber and Teller #1. The word “CHASE” is visible on the bag.

6. The robbery was publicized in the local media and the bank surveillance photos were shown in the media.

7. On June 2, 2010, the Fox River Grove Police Department received 9-1-1 calls from two individuals who were calling from the Chase Bank located 712 Northwest Highway in Fox River Grove, Illinois. One of the callers identified herself as an employee of the bank and provided her name to the operator.

This bank employee stated that she and a co-worker had observed a woman with long blonde hair, underneath a black baseball cap, wearing blue jeans and a blue button-down denim shirt, and having thick white face paint all over her face, acting strangely outside the bank. Specifically, the bank employee stated that the woman walked slowly past the front entrance of the bank. A short time later, the bank employee saw this same woman again walk slowly in front of the bank, pause, look inside, but then walk on. The bank employee further stated that this woman strongly resembled the picture of the person who had robbed the Cary Branch of Chase Bank the preceding week.

8. The second 9-1-1 caller described herself as a customer of the Chase Bank in Fox River Grove. This caller also described a suspicious person walking around outside the bank and gave a description of the woman that was similar to that of the bank employee.

9. Members of the Fox River Grove Police Department went to Chase Bank in response to the 9-1-1 calls. While in the area of the bank, an additional witness approached the officers and advised them that she had seen a suspicious looking woman, with makeup or a mask, a hat, and a blue money bag under her left arm. This witness stated that the suspicious looking woman had walked up the hill from Foxmoor Crossing (the strip mall where Chase Bank is located) toward School Street.

10. The police officers walked up the hill toward an apartment complex located at 601 School Street. The officers began walking the area on foot, looking for the woman that had been described to them by the 9-1-1 callers and the witness outside the bank.

11. While walking through the parking lot of the apartment complex, Sergeant Domagala observed a head pop up in the rear of a tan Chevy van. The officers ordered the person out of the vehicle. At first there was no response. The officers again ordered the person to exit the vehicle. Approximately ten seconds later, a woman, later identified as Silk Pauline Lumpkins, emerged from the rear passenger door of the van, holding her hands in the air. The officers placed Lumpkins in handcuffs and performed a pat-down search.

12. When Lumpkins came out of the van, she had heavy covering make-up on her face, and was wearing blue jeans and a blue denim button-down shirt.

13. Shortly after Lumpkins was hand-cuffed, Fox River Grove Chief of Police Lukasik asked Lumpkins:

“What brings you to Fox River Grove?”

Lumpkins replied something to the effect of that she had seen in the newspaper that someone had robbed the bank in Cary, so I came here dressed like the robber to see if anyone would notice.

14. Sergeant Domagala looked inside the open door of the van and saw a blonde colored wig lying the floor.

15. The officers placed Lumpkins in a squad car and transported her to the Fox River Grove Police Department. The officers also notified the Cary Police Department of the situation. While at the Fox River Grove Police Department, Lumpkins gave her name as “Pauline Wilson.”

16. At the Fox River Grove Police Department, Sergeant Domagala advised Lumpkins of her Miranda rights. Sergeant Domagala asked Lumpkins in she understood her ights, and Lumpkins responded that she was not waiving her rights. Sergeant Domagala then explained that he just needed to ensure that she had been given her rights and that she understood them. Lumpkins then signed a “Statement of Miranda Rights” using the name of Pauline Wilson.

17. A search of Lumpkins person was performed at the Fox River Grove Police Department by Cary Police Officer Eiring. During this search, Lumpkins made an unsolicited statement that she had gone to the Fox River Grove Chase Bank because she’d seen a news article about the robbery of the Chase Bank in Cary and decided to dress as the robber to see if anyone would notice. Officer Eiring had not previously asked Lumpkins any questions. After Lumpkins comment, Officer Eiring did not ask her any questions.

18. A short time later, Officer Panvino asked Lumpkins if she would give consent to search her vehicle. Lumpkins agreed and signed a “Consent to Search” form using the name Pauline Wilson. The form which Lumpkins signed advises individuals of their right to refuse consent to search.

19. Officers of the Fox River Grove Police Department went back to School Street and searched the tan Chevy van. A blonde wig was found on van floor behind the rear passenger seat. Black gloves and black baseball cap were found on the rear driver’s side seat, under a child car seat. A blue Chase bank bag was found underneath the driver’s seat.

20. I have personally examined the items taken from the van by the Fox River Grove police officers. The black baseball cap has an insignia which appears to match the insignia on the black baseball cap of the robber shown in the surveillance photos from the May 26, 2010, robbery. The blue Chase bank bag appears to be identical the bank bag shown in the surveillance photos from the May 26, 2010, robbery. The wig appears to match the hair of the robber which can be seen in the surveillance photos from the May 26, 2010, robbery.

21. While Lumpkins was still at the Fox River Grove Police Department, the officers determined that the name that appears on her driver’s license and photo ID is Silk P. Lumpkins.

22. At some point during the afternoon, Lumpkins was transported to the Cary Police Department so that a “Live Scan” of Lumpkins fingerprints could be performed.

23. After the “Live Scan” was performed, Lumpkins was placed in a room. Prior to being placed in the room, Lumpkins was advised that the room was under video and audio surveillance. Sometime later, Detective Williamson saw on the video that Lumpkins was attempting to use the telephone in the room. Detective Williamson entered the room and told Lumpkins that she could not use the phone at this point. Lumpkins then asked Detective Williamson how much longer it would be and whether someone could tell her what was going on.

24. Detective Williamson advised me of Lumpkins’ request. FBI Special Agent Terry Heatherman, Detective Chad Fetzer, and I then entered the room with Lumpkins. I identified myself as an FBI agent, showed her my credentials, and asked if she was willing to speak with us. Lumpkins stated that she would talk with us. I advised her of her Miranda rights by reading a written Advice of Rights form. Lumpkins read the form with me. She stated that she understood her rights, was willing to talk with us without the presence of a lawyer, and signed the Advice of Rights form acknowledging her rights.

Address identified in the FBI affidavit.

25. Initially, Lumpkins denied that she had robbed the Cary Branch of Chase Bank.

She claimed that she had gone to the Fox River Grove Branch of Chase Bank that morning dressed as the Cary robber in order to get a citizen to call the police. Later during the interview, Lumpkins admitted that she had, in fact, committed the robbery of the Cary Branch of Chase Bank on May 26, 2010. She stated that she had used the money from the robbery to buy clothes, shoes, food, and bike for her children. She stated that she had made these purchases at Sam’s Club and several other stores. Lumpkins later gave a written statement in which she admitted the robbery of the Cary Branch of Chase Bank.

26. During the interview, Lumpkins gave written consent to search her residence located at 680 Blackthorn Drive in Crystal Lake, Illinois.

27. Later that same evening, detectives from the Cary and Crystal Lake Police Departments accompanied Agent Heatherman and me as we searched Lumpkins’ residence. I found another blue Chase bank deposit bag inside Lumpkins’ purse. I also found a receipt from Sam’s Club, dated May 28, 2010, in the amount of $299.50, inside the blue Chase Bank bag. The receipt indicates that $300 cash was tendered.

28. I have been informed that the deposits of the Chase Bank in Cary were insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation at the time of the robbery on May 26, 2010.

29. This affidavit is made solely for the purpose of establishing probable cause and does not set forth every single fact that has been gathered during the course of this investigation.

HERBERT E. HOGBERG, III
Special Agent
Federal Bureau of Investigation