A Crystal Lake couple has been charged with robbing a bank last month in northwest suburban Algonquin.
About 3:20 p.m. Dec. 23, 26-year-old Daniel R. Plushkis walked into the TCF Bank branch located inside a Jewel-Osco store at 103 S. Randall Rd. wearing a fake beard, according to Algonquin police and the FBI.
Plushkis waited for the teller to finish with another customer and then handed her an envelope and said “I am sorry, ma’am, I hate to do this,” according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court. He then told the teller to take cash from the drawers and put it in the envelope.
Although the teller didn’t see it at the time, the envelope included a handwritten note that said he had a gun and instructed her to empty the top and bottom drawers into the envelope without “tracking devices” or “ink bombs,” according to the FBI. “You have 20 seconds,” the note said.
As Plushkis was leaving, a grocery store employee followed him into the parking lot, the FBI said. Plushkis was chased, tackled and held for police with the help of local firefighters who were collecting donations for charity. He was found in possession of the envelope and the money taken was recovered.
His wife, 28-year-old Jessica E. Plushkis, was also arrested as she attempted to drive away from the scene, authorities said.
According to the FBI, Daniel Plushkis is thought to be the same person who robbed other TCF Bank branches at 6:03 p.m. Dec. 20 at 217 Irving Park Rd. in Streamwood; at 6:45 p.m. Dec. 13 at 1860 S. Arlington Heights Rd. in Arlington Heights; and at 3:45 p.m. Dec. 10 at 13200 Village Green Dr. in Huntley. He is also suspected of robbing a Chase Bank branch at 2:56 p.m. Dec. 1 at 300 Northwest Hwy. in Cary.
The suspected serial bank robber wore a black wig with long hair in several of the robberies, the FBI said. In the Cary robbery, he implied he had a gun but didn’t display one.
The couple was charged with financial institution robbery and burglary, police said. They are being held at the McHenry County Jail.
FBI spokesman Garrett Croon said he expected them to transferred into federal custody in the next two weeks. Federal charges have not been announced.
Jessica Plushkis’ bond was set at $20,000, according to the McHenry County sheriff’s office. Her next court date was set for Jan. 26.
