Married couple charged with Algonquin bank heist
A Crystal Lake couple has been charged with robbing a bank last month in northwest suburban Algonquin.
About 3: 20 p. m. Dec. 23, 26- year- old Daniel R. Plushkis walked into the TCF Bank branch in a Jewel- Osco store at 103 S. Randall Rd. wearing a fake beard, according to Algonquin police and the FBI.
Plushkis waited for the teller to finish with another customer and then handed her an envelope and said “I am sorry, ma’am, I hate to do this,” according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court. He then told the teller to take cash from the drawers and put it in the envelope.
Although the teller didn’t see it at the time, the envelope included a handwritten note that said he had a gun and instructed her to empty the top and bottom drawers into the envelope without “tracking devices” or “ink bombs,” according to the FBI. “You have 20 seconds,” the note said.
As Plushkis was leaving, a store employee followed him into the parking lot, the FBI said. Plushkis was chased, tackled and held for police with the help of local firefighters who were collecting donations for charity. He was found in possession of the envelope and the money taken was recovered.
His wife, 28- year- old Jessica E. Plushkis, was also arrested as she attempted to drive away from the scene, authorities said.
According to the FBI, Daniel Plushkis is thought to be the same person who robbed other TCF Bank branches at 6: 03 p. m. Dec. 20 at 217 Irving Park Rd. in Streamwood; at 6: 45 p. m. Dec. 13 at 1860 S. Arlington Heights Rd. in Arlington Heights; and at 3: 45 p. m. Dec. 10 at 13200 Village Green Dr. in Huntley. He is also suspected of robbing a Chase Bank branch at 2: 56 p. m. Dec. 1 at 300 Northwest Hwy. in Cary. Sun- Times Wire
Woman carjacked in West Garfield Park
A woman was carjacked Thursday morning in the West Garfield Park neighborhood on the West Side.
The 39- year- old woman was stopped at a red light at 11: 39 a. m. in the 4700 block of West Harrison when another vehicle bumped into the rear of her vehicle, according to Chicago Police. Three men got out of that vehicle and demanded that she give up her vehicle.
One or more of the men then drove off in the woman’s vehicle, police said.
Luke Wilusz
Kennedy- to- Congress ramp work postponed
An estimated two- year closure on the ramp that carries traffic from the southbound Kennedy Expy. to eastbound Congress Parkway has been postponed.
The closure, scheduled to start Wednesday, has been pushed back to the week of Jan. 15 because of inclement weather in the forecast, according to IDOT
Tom Schuba