A northwest suburban woman, whom federal authorities say tried to rob a Lake County bank, then ran out when the teller refused to give her any money, is now facing criminal charges.
Teresa K. Knowles, 39, was charged Friday in U.S. District Court in Rockford with one count of attempted bank robbery, according to a statement from the FBI. She remains in federal custody and will face an initial hearing at 11 a.m. Tuesday.
Knowles, a Volo resident, tried to rob the Chase Bank branch at 2911 Commerce Dr. in Johnsburg just after 4:30 p.m. on March 24, according to the FBI.
A federal criminal complaint alleges she entered the bank, approached a teller window and “passed a note to the teller demanding money.”
But “The teller refused to turn over any money” and “the defendant left the bank,” the complaint claims.
McHenry police officers later stopped Knowles in a vehicle matching the description of that used in the robbery attempt, the FBI said.
She faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted.