Chicago, IL (WGN) — A 12-hour standoff between a suspected bank robber and police came to an end early Sunday morning in the south suburbs after police found him in an unlikely place.
It all started when the suspect allegedly robbed the Bank of America branch at 111th and South Pulaski in Oak Lawn shortly after 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
Witnesses say the man entered the bank holding a handgun and announcing a robbery. Federal agents say he left on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Witnesses saw him run into a nearby strip mall and that’s where the FBI found him — hiding in a second floor ceiling duct of one of the businesses.
But, he didn’t surrender so easily. Police say the suspect became trapped inside. Federal agents and members of the swat team spent nearly 12 hours trying to cut him out from the ceiling.
Once they smashed through ceiling tiles and air ducts, police say he was eventually taken into custody.
No one inside any of the local businesses were hurt — just a little shaken up.
The suspect was arrested and federal bank robbery charges are pending.