WHEATON – DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Downers Grove Chief of Police Shanon Gillette announced today that a Naperville resident has been charged with robbing a Downers Grove financial institution of more than $14,000. Tarandle Lee, age 42 of the 1500 block of Fairway Drive, appeared in Bond Court this morning where Judge Angelo Kappas set bond at $750,000 with 10% to apply. Lee has been charged with one count of Financial Institution Robbery, a Class 1 Felony.
Downers Grove police responded about 10:36 a.m. Thursday, April 14, 2022 to the DuPage Credit Union located at 725 Ogden Avenue, for a bank robbery that had just occurred. Upon their arrival, police officers spoke with the teller and immediately opened an investigation. Allegedly that shortly before the police dispatch, a male subject entered the establishment, approached the teller and presented a cardboard sign with instructions written on it to give him money stating “large bills 100s 50s stay calm no gps no dye pack.” Allegedly the teller gave the man $14,100 which the man placed in a white garbage bag. It is further alleged that the man then left the establishment, got on a bicycle and rode away. Allegedly, once the male offender was a few blocks away, he discarded the bike and entered the passenger side of a vehicle, later determined to be driven by Lee. The investigation led authorities to Bellwood where, at approximately 2:30 p.m. the same day, Downers Grove detectives located the alleged getaway vehicle. Bellwood officers were called to assist and found Lee in the driver’s seat. Bellwood police officers assisted with taking Lee into custody at this time.
“Violent crimes, such as alleged in this case, not only cause immediate harm to the victim, but also have a detrimental effect on the sense of safety and security enjoyed by the entire community. Consequently, the type of behavior alleged in this case will not be tolerated in DuPage County and will be met with the full force of the law. I thank the Downers Grove Police Department for their truly excellent work on this case as well as the FBI and the Bellwood and Naperville Police Departments for their assistance. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Helen Kapas, Kelly McKay and Matthew Simo for their efforts in securing a strong prosecution against Mr. Lee.”
— DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin
“I would like to thank the Downers Grove investigators who worked tirelessly to identify and apprehend this individual. The Downers Grove Police Department is grateful for the assistance provided by the Bellwood Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Naperville Police Department. I would also like to thank State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his staff for their guidance and support throughout the investigation.
— Downers Grove Chief of Police Shanon Gillette
The investigation into the matter continues and anyone with pertinent information is asked to contact the Downers Grove Police Department at (630) 434-5600. DuPage Credit Union is not covered by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), therefore the State has jurisdiction to prosecute.
Lee’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 9, 2022 for arraignment in front of Judge Michael Reidy.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendants’ guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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