Bank robber waited 8 minutes for teller to get ‘approval’ to hand over all of their $100 bills: criminal complaint

A Failed Attempt: Suburban Man Faces Federal Bank Robbery Charge

A suburban man, Mark A. Sanchez, is facing a federal attempted bank robbery charge after a failed heist at a bank inside a Jewel-Osco in Hoffman Estates. The incident unfolded when Sanchez, 23, donned a disguise consisting of a long dark wig, glasses, a blue surgical mask, and a puffy jacket, and entered the store armed with a loaded black semi-automatic handgun.

Sanchez approached the bank counter and demanded all of the $100 bills. However, his plan was thwarted by three quick-thinking tellers who outsmarted him. The first teller informed Sanchez that she needed approval from someone else to release the money, giving her the opportunity to alert the bank’s security team and call 911. The second teller claimed the branch had no cash and was experiencing technical issues, while the third teller’s cash drawer was conveniently empty.

After waiting for nearly eight minutes for the tellers to approve his request for the cash, Sanchez grew impatient and left the bank counter to walk through the grocery store. Hoffman Estates police arrived shortly after and arrested Sanchez while he was still in disguise. A search of his blue zippered pouch revealed a loaded semi-automatic handgun with a round chambered, as well as an unserialized “ghost gun.”

During questioning, Sanchez admitted to intending to rob the bank but claimed he did not have any intentions of hurting anyone in the process.

Sanchez now faces federal charges for attempted bank robbery, a crime that was foiled by the quick actions of the bank tellers. The failed heist serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and quick thinking in preventing criminal acts.