Police Officers Recognized for Work in Lemont Bank Robbery

Eight Lemont police officers were recognized Monday for their outstanding work during  at .

On Dec. 13, employees at the bank, 1201 State St., reported that a man wearing a dark jacket, camouflage pants, a dark ski hat and gloves handed a note to a teller demanding money.

After the man implied he had a weapon, the teller complied and the man fled the bank, police said.

The next day, however, Lemont police were able to track the suspect, identified as "serial bank robber" Gerald C. Tysko, to the Cloud Nine Motel, 8440 South Harlem Ave. in Bridgeview. The arrest occurred just 11 hours after the robbery, police said.

Lemont Police Chief Kevin Shaughnessy confirmed that Tysko called a cab from a Lemont bar following the bank robbery. Police contacted the cab company shortly after the incident, and were able to track Tysko's cab to the Bridgeview motel.

According to Shaughnessy, Tysko has a previous conviction for a 2007 robbery in which he was sentenced to three years in prison.

On Monday night, Shaughnessy awarded ribbons and commendations to the following police officers for their work on the case: 

• Detective Aras Jonakis
• Detective Ed Oria
• Sgt. Therese Thompson
• Officer Noe Salinas
• Officer Brian Kondrat
• Detective John Stella
• Officer Brian Danaher
• Officer James "JR" Truhlar

Shaughnessy commended the officers for their hard work during the robbery, as well as effort they put forth every day to keep Lemont residents safe.

"Lemont is a tremendously safe town," he said. "There are good people but also officers who do a good job while they're on patrol."

Also honored Monday was Lt. Col. Terry Lemming of the Illinois State Police. A Lemont resident, Lemming works a secondary job at a residential treatment center in the area.

In October 2011, Lemming saved a distraught patient who attempted to drown herself in a nearby retention pond, Shaughnessy said.

"Your actions prevented a potentially fatal event and displayed the highest standard of professionalism and dedication," Shaughnessy said. "You're an asset to the Illinois State Police and the residents of Lemont."

Editor's Note: Tysko, 33, remains in Cook County jail on $250,000 bond. He Thursday, Jan. 19, to robbery of a financial institution and aggravated robbery during an arraignment hearing at the Cook County courthouse in Bridgeview.