Police continue to investigate armed robbery at Fifth Third Bank

DeKALB – Police hope an outfit worn by an armed bank robber on one of the hottest days of the year will jog the memories of potential witnesses.

A man entered the Fifth Third Bank at 2707 Sycamore Road in DeKalb armed with a gun about 4 p.m. July 22. On a day when the heat index reached nearly 100 degrees, the man wore a red hat on top of a wolf mask, blue jeans and a blue long-sleeve shirt, DeKalb police Cmdr. Bob Redel said. Judging by photos from the incident, it appears the suspect might have been wearing additional padding beneath the long-sleeve shirt.

“In that area, which is a lot of residential, the way he was running – he was wearing jeans and a long shirt. He would have stood out. It was so hot out that day,” Redel said.

The man was black, more than 6 feet tall, and possibly taller than 6 feet 2 inches, Redel said. He wore a dark-colored shirt and light-blue jeans. The man also likely had a getaway car waiting for him nearby.

“We’re looking at the tollway,” Redel said. “The dogs did track a scent and once it started going to the west the scent was lost. Just from prior cases, more than likely he had a car or someone in a getaway car usually within half a block.”

Authorities are asking anyone who recognizes the mask to contact the DeKalb Police Department or DeKalb County CrimeStoppers.

At least two witnesses said the man was inside the bank with them and ran past them as he exited the bank. Witnesses told police the man displayed a black handgun, according to a Northern Illinois University Safety Bulletin.

It is unclear if the suspect lived in the area or if he could be connected to other robberies.

“For somebody to have a mask and have a gun, this is not a spur-of-the-moment thing; this is something that was planned out,” Redel said. “Whether this was his first one or not, we won’t know until we catch him.”