Getaway Driver Guilty In String Of Bank Robberies In Western Suburbs

LISLE, IL — A Bolingbrook man was convicted in connection with a string of bank robberies in the western suburbs in 2021 and 2022. Tarandle Lee, 45, was the getaway driver in the robberies, which took place in Downers Grove, Lisle, Woodridge and Westmont.

Lee was found guilty of four robbery counts by a federal jury after a trial that lasted seven days.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Lee and Charles Lawler, 54, of Villa Park, worked together to rob banks, with Lee driving a getaway car and Lawler demanding cash inside the financial institution. The pair was charged in the following bank robberies:

• Old Second Bank in Lisle on Sept. 28, 2021
• Bank Financial in Westmont on Oct. 6, 2021
• BMO Harris Bank in Woodridge on Jan. 3, 2022
• DuPage Credit Union in Downers Grove on April 14, 2022

Lawler was charged independent of Lee in connection with the robbery of a BMO Harris Bank in Naperville on Sept. 22, 2021. He pleaded guilty to three of the robberies and "stipulated to his role" in two of the robberies, per the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Related: Feds Indict 2 Men For Robbing Banks In Downers Grove, Lisle, Woodridge

Both Lee and Lawler face sentences of up to 20 years. Lee is awaiting a sentencing date, and Lawler will be sentenced on March 11.