Suspect in Christmas Eve bank robbery captured after FBI offers reward

A man charged with holding up a South Side bank at gunpoint last Christmas Eve was captured after the FBI announced a reward last week for information.

Damon A. Murphy, 32, also known as “Red,” is charged with the armed takeover robbery of the TCF Bank branch at 223 W. 87th St. on Dec. 24, 2015, according to the FBI. An agency spokesman said he was apprehended thanks to media coverage of the case.

Murphy and Davonyay Pratt entered the bank wearing ski masks at 12:30 p.m. and one of them pointed a gun at an employee. “This is a robbery!” one of them said, according to the federal criminal complaint. He then grabbed the employee by the arm and took him toward a door that accessed the secure area of the bank where money is stored.

Another employee opened the door, and both robbers went inside, saying, “Give me money!” and, “Where’s the money, I want all the money!” according to the complaint. They also handed over a note that said, “Don’t be alarmed. Dis is a robbery. 50’s & 100’s and nobody gets shot.”

After emptying several teller drawers, they fled with more than $3,800. No one was hurt.

Pratt turned himself in to Calumet City police on Dec. 26, and told investigators he knew his accomplice by the name “Red” and described the location of his apartment in Calumet City. He also told investigators that “Red” kept all but $200 of the money stolen from the bank, according to the complaint.

At least three tipsters called the FBI and identified “Red” as Murphy, according to the complaint.

Investigators showed Pratt a photo of Murphy, who he identified as “Red,” according to the complaint. One of the bank employees also identified Murphy as one of the robbers in a photo array.

On Dec. 28, Murphy was arrested by Chicago Police for driving on a revoked license and other traffic violations, according to the complaint. At the time of the arrest, he was driving the van used in the robbery.

Murphy had his initial appearance in federal court Monday, according to the FBI. He is being held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center.