Masked Gunman Robs Dempster Street Bank, Nearby Schools Locked Down

NILES, IL — A man robbed a bank at gunpoint Wednesday morning in Niles, prompting a precautionary lockdown at local schools, police said.

Officers were dispatched to the U.S. Bank at 8500 W. Dempster St. shortly after 9 a.m. for a report of an armed robbery.

According to police, a robber described as a Hispanic man wearing a COVID-style mask walked into the bank carrying a backpack.

He pulled out what appeared to be a semiautomatic pistol, threatened bank staff and demanded money.

Police said he escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash before officers arrived.

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There were no injuries reported during the robbery.

As a precaution, some schools schools were placed on lockdown during the initial police response and the subsequent search for the suspect, according to police.

No further information was immediately available from the FBI, which is handling the investigation.

The public can report tips anonymously to 312-421-6700 or tips.fbi.gov.