Police Warn Of String Of Robberies At Drive-Up ATMs
CHICAGO (CBS) -- An ATM user was able to foil an armed robbery attempt in north suburban Northbrook on Wednesday night.
It happened when a couple pulled up to a Chase Bank ATM at Dundee and Pfingsten roads, and a suspect opened the car's back door, and a pointed a handgun at the couple.
"The individual did not get into the car, and the husband put the car in drive and just sped out of the lot, and proceeded to leave the area and then call the police. Had the individual gotten into the vehicle, it probably would've been a different story," said Northbrook Police Chief Charles Wernick.
The incident is similar to ones that have happened at drive-up ATMs in Elgin, Carpentersvile, Glen Ellyn and Park Ridge.
"I believe these are connected. The Park Ridge incident happened within an hour of the Northbrook one. There's not much of a description. Two black males, dressed in dark clothing with hoods, and some type of face mask. We believe they fled in some type of vehicle parked elsewhere," Wernick said.
The chief said residents should be aware of their surroundings, and keep all doors locked when pulling up to an ATM. The police department was reviewing surveillance tape to get a better description of the robbers.