Woman charged with robbing Wilmette bank, suspected in second robbery

A 23-year-old woman has been charged with robbing a bank in north suburban Wilmette last month and is suspected of hitting another bank in Skokie.

Kirbey Ingold faces one felony count of bank robbery in connection with the Oct. 14 robbery of the BMO Harris Bank branch at 1701 Sheridan Rd. in Wilmette, according to the FBI.

Ingold told a teller she wanted to open an account, according to a federal complaint. The teller noticed a handwritten note on a small piece of white paper lying on the counter, but couldn’t read it because the handwriting was faint.

Ingold then said, “Just give me the money,” according to the complaint. The teller tried to explain to her that they did not normally work at that window and did not have keys to access the cash drawer.

Ingold said, “Give me the money, I’m armed,” and put her right hand in the front pocket of her red hooded sweatshirt, authorities allege. The employee went to their assigned station, grabbed cash and put it in the robber’s white plastic bag.

Ingold got away with $1,790, according to the complaint.

Someone saw a surveillance photo from the robbery on a TV newscast and called Skokie police, according to the FBI. That person identified Ingold and told officers that she had a young daughter, was staying at a hotel, and intended to leave the area.

Ingold was also identified in a photo lineup by a teller from one of the robberies, according to the complaint.

Also in October, an Evanston police detective spoke with Ingold on the phone regarding a dispute between Ingold’s sister and a friend about the placement of her daughter, according to the complaint. The detective asked Ingold to show up in person to resolve the dispute, but she refused.

The detective asked Ingold’s sister what would prevent her from resolving the matter, and she said, “Bank issues,” according to the complaint.

In early November, she was arrested by Chicago Police on outstanding warrants and admitted to the Wilmette robbery during an interview.

Although she has not been charged, Ingold is also suspected of robbing a PNC Bank branch at 5033 Dempster St. in Skokie on Oct. 7, according to the FBI.

Ingold, who has no permanent home address, appeared Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sheila Finnegan and was ordered held pending her next court appearance, which is scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday.