FBI: Bank robber threatened to bomb West Side PNC branch

SHARE FBI: Bank robber threatened to bomb West Side PNC branch
2201cermak_300x1691.jpeg

Surveillance images of a man suspected in four Chicago bank robberies. | FBI

A homeless man threatened to bomb a West Side bank while robbing it last month, in one of two heists for which he now faces federal charges, authorities said.

Cayetano Williams, 57, made off with more than $500 after telling a teller he would “blow this s— up” if the teller called for help on the afternoon of Dec. 15 at a PNC Bank branch at 3337 W. North Ave., according to a criminal complaint filed Thursday in U.S. District Court.

“[D]on’t press the alarm or this f—— place will get bombed,” Williams allegedly said.

Authorities said he struck again Jan. 4 at a Byline Bank branch at 2201 W. Cermak Road, when he implied he had a gun while making a teller hand over more than $1,000.

No one was hurt in either of the robberies.

Investigators matched surveillance images with previous arrest mugshots and tracked down the probation officer of Williams, who has a previous federal conviction, authorities said. The officer identified Williams in a photo lineup, as did several of the bank tellers, authorities said.

FBI agents learned he had stayed at a Cicero motel and eventually tracked down Williams at MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn, the complaint says.

Williams appeared in federal court Friday on two charges of bank robbery. He remains held at the downtown Metropolitan Correctional Center.

Authorities previously said the same man was suspected of robbing a U.S. Bank branch on Dec. 2 at 4725 N. Western Ave., and a Huntington Bank branch on Dec. 8 at 4012 N. Pulaski Road. Williams has not been charged with those robberies.

Ten banks have been robbed since the start of the year in the Chicago area, which saw a sharp uptick in hold-ups in 2016, as 193 banks were robbed.

The Latest
Trump expects the MAGA faithful to turn out in thousands to intimidate the Manhattan district attorney out of indicting him for funneling hush money to noted porn actress Stormy Daniels. Not going to happen.
A suspected Iranian drone strike killed a U.S. contractor and wounded five service members and another contractor at a coalition base in Syria, according to the Pentagon.
The Pennsylvania Democrat checked himself into a hospital in February with clinical depression. His recovery is going well, and he will soon be back at work, an aide says.
Three children, one believed to be 10 years old, and two adults, including an Illinois State Police trooper, were hospitalized in good condition, fire officials said.