5-Time Bank Robber Sentenced To More Than 7 Years

NAPERVILLE, IL — A Villa Park was sentenced to seven years and eight months in prison for robbing banks in Naperville, Lisle, Woodridge, Downers Grove and Westmont in 2021 and 2022. Charles Lawler, 54, pleaded guilty to three counts and "stipulated his role" in two, a news release said.

Tarandle Lee, 45, of Bolingbrook, was convicted in January for his role as a getaway driver in four of the robberies.

Lawler was charged independent of Lee in connection with the robbery of a BMO Harris Bank in Naperville on Sept. 22, 2021.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Lee and Charles Lawler, 54, of Villa Park, worked together to on four of the robberies, with Lawler demanding cash inside the financial institution while Lee waited outside the bank.

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 arrested in 2023 and has remained in custody. Lee is still awaiting a sentencing hearing.