Evanston Police swarmed around the First Bank and Trust Branch at 741 Main St. late this afternoon after the bank was apparently robbed for the second time in less than a week.
Witnesses said officers hunted for possible suspects in the area along Sherman and Custer Avenues just north of the bank and police reportedly had a detailed description of at least one man sought in the incident.
No further details were immediately available.
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Some legal information on bank robbery
As a former teller, I remember being distressed when I heard news of bank robberies: copycat robberies are not uncommon. What the news often neglects to mention is that bank robbery is an extremely unsuccessful crime that carries a heavy punishment: it is an automatic felony under the jurisdiction of the FBI.
In addition, while tellers are trained to give over money to robbers to ensure the safety of everyone in the bank, there are numerous automatic safeguards that aid investigators in tracking down bank robbers. Bank robbers usually escape with a minimum of cash, are frequently identified early, and must spend their lives hiding from the authorities. When a robber is apprehended, The Federal Bank Robbery act of 1934 allows prosecutors to charge robbers with several separate and distinct crimes.
Bottom line; while robbers may get out the door with cash in hand, they are not likely to ever enjoy it.
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