‘No Boundaries Bandit’ ordered held in federal custody

The alleged “No Boundaries Bandit,” suspected of robbing at least 13 banks in the Chicago area, made his first appearance in federal court Thursday morning and was ordered held in custody.

Rodrigo Medellin

Rodrigo Medellin, 31, is charged with one felony count of bank robbery in connection with the June 11 robbery of the Washington Federal Bank at 2869 S. Archer Ave., according to a statement from the FBI.

A dejected-looking Medellin made his first court appearance Thursday morning, wearing a retro black-and-white striped prisoner outfit. He was ordered held in custody at least until his next hearing.

Medellin, of New Lenox, is suspected in at least 12 other bank robberies across the city and suburbs since May 16, according to the FBI. The most recent robbery happened last Thursday afternoon at the PNC Bank branch at 6620 Ogden Ave. in Berwyn.

Cicero police saw photos of the bandit and recognized him as a man suspected of being involved in local gangs, town spokesman Ray Hanania said. Authorities tracked him to Broadview where he was taken into custody Sunday following a brief chase.

Medellin had a loaded Tec-9 automatic weapon on him at the time of his arrest, according to Hanania. In addition to the federal charge, he has been charged under state law with aggravated assault to a police officer, aggravated fleeing and eluding police, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, police said.

That case remains pending, and he is scheduled for a hearing at the Maywood courthouse Sept. 23, court records show.

Medellin is suspected of robbing the following banks:

-Aug. 25, 5:49 p.m. at TCF, 800 N. Harlem in River Forest

—Aug. 21, 2:08 p.m. at BMO Harris, 9101 Cermak in North Riverside

—Aug. 15, 6 p.m. at Chase Bank, 100 W. North Ave. in Northlake

—Aug. 11, 1:17 p.m. at Park Federal Savings, 5400 S. Pulaski in Chicago

—July 16, 2:35 p.m. at Popular Bank, 1700 W. Lake in Melrose Park

—June 25, 4:50 p.m. at TCF Bank, 5320 S. Pulaski in Chicago

—June 24, 5:06 p.m. at Chase Bank, 1700 N. Wells in Chicago

—June 19, 4:33 p.m. at Charter One, 4001 South Harlem in Stickney

—June 11, 3:13 p.m. at Washington Federal Bank, 2869 S. Archer in Chicago

—Jun. 6, 4:50 p.m. at PNC Bank, 6650 W. Cermak in Berwyn

—May 27, 1:27 p.m. at TCF Bank, 6315 W. 55th in Chicago

—May 16, 5:14 p.m. at PNC Bank, 4900 W. 87th St. in Burbank.