CHICAGO — A man tried to rob a West Lawn bank on Monday but was stopped when a security guard and bank customers tackled him, the FBI said.
At 1:04 p.m. Monday, Rodney Hill Jr. walked into BMO Harris Bank, 6400 S. Pulaski Road, and almost made off with $6,408 after threatening a teller with a fake bomb, according to federal court documents.
Hill walked up to a teller and put a white, plastic bag with an empty wine box inside on the counter, the FBI said. The man said something similar to, "Give me all the money from your drawer. I have a bomb in here. Don't press anything," according to the FBI.
Hill allegedly gave the teller a clear bag and said to put cash in it. The teller did so and gave it to Hill, the FBI said.
Another teller and a security guard saw what was happening and when Hill turned to walk away with the money, the guard wrapped his arms around the suspected thief and pulled him to the ground.
A customer saw the security guard struggling with Hill on the ground and went over to help hold Hill down, the FBI said. Another customer grabbed Hill's hoodie and also helped hold Hill down.
"Let me go," Hill repeatedly yelled, the FBI said.
"No, you just robbed a bank," the security guard replied.
"Let me go, it's not your money," Hill countered, according to federal court documents.
The guard and customers held down Hill until police arrived several minutes later, the FBI said. Hill was taken into custody and charged with bank robbery. The bank said he had nearly taken $6,408.
Hill originally told investigators his name was Rodney Jones, but later he said his name was Rodney Hill and investigators confirmed his identity, the FBI said.
