Chase Bank Robbed Again
By Ken Hare
Chicago Defender Staff Writer
A Hyde Park branch of Chase Bank has been robbed again for the second time in less than 30 days. According to Chicago police, at about 5:30 pm Tuesday afternoon, an African American male who was captured on surveillance camera walked into the branch at 1204 E. 53rd St. and handed the teller a note demanding money. The teller reported that he said he had a weapon but didn’t produce one before running out with an unknown amount of money.
Located inside the Kimbark Plaza shopping mall, the area is approximately four blocks from President Barack Obama’s mansion in Hyde Park. What makes this robbery unusual is the time of day and the amount of foot traffic in the area. The shopping center is cooperatively owned by its tenants and the University of Chicago. It includes Pearle Vision Center, Cedars Cuisine, Harold’s Chicken Shack, Kimbark Liquors, Hyde Park Produce, Leona’s restaurant, and CVS pharmacy.
This part of Hyde Park is usually teeming with the presence of the University of Chicago’s private police force as well as the Chicago Police and sometimes Secret Service due to the proximity to the President’s manse.
Described as standing between 6-foot and 6-foot-1, with a slim build; he was wearing a dark hooded coat, dark jeans, light tan boots and a camouflage baseball hat.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to contact the FBI at (312) 421-6700.