Loop bank robbery: Suspect shoots security guard at Fifth Third Bank in Chicago

CHICAGO - A security guard was shot and injured as he confronted a robbery suspect fleeing a bank in downtown Chicago on Thursday afternoon.

FBI officials, on Thursday night, said the suspect – who left a trail of cash behind as he made his getaway – was still at-large.

Police said the crime occurred around 2:59 p.m. at Fifth Third Bank, located at 1 S. Wacker Drive in the Loop.

The brazen robbery, which occurred in broad daylight when commuters would soon be catching their afternoon trains, ended with bullets flying during a shootout.

"All of the sudden I heard a loud noise, a couple pop, pop, pop, pops, about 5 or 6, what sounded like gunshots," said Dominik Modrzejewski, who works across the street.

Those sounds sent Modrzejewski rushing to his office window.

"I looked down to the bank and I saw a gunman shooting at that door right there. I started recording him as he was getting away, there was money flying everywhere," said Modrzejewski.

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Police said the bank’s security guard, a 59-year-old man, confronted the suspect as he was exiting the business, at which time the offender pulled out a gun and shot the guard who sustained a graze wound to his right hand.

In response, the guard – who was later seen talking with investigators at the scene – pulled out his duty weapon and fired back at the suspect. It is not known if the offender was struck.

Multiple windows of the bank were shattered during the incident, and shell casings were strewn across the sidewalk in the aftermath.

"I’m up in my office and I look downstairs just to see about 15 cop cars, saw them with shields run into the building, so it was a little chaotic," said Kristen Bogolin, who works nearby. "Absolutely crazy, I mean we walk to Starbucks, we walk to get lunch in broad daylight, you don’t expect things like that to happen, really sad, glad he’s not hurt but crazy."

FOX 32 Chicago obtained cellphone video from employees of two nearby office buildings showing the suspect leaving the bank and scooping fallen cash off the ground; some of the stolen money can be seen blowing away in the wind.

The suspect fled eastbound on Madison Street with an unknown amount of stolen money – leaving a chaotic scene in the loop with onlookers captivated by the ordeal.

"I’m from Texas so this doesn’t happen too often," said Eric Smelcer, who is visiting from Texas.

According to the FBI, the suspect was a medium-built Black man, standing 5-foot-7, wearing a black hooded jacket, a mask, red hat, blue jeans, dark shoes, winter gloves, and he had a bag in his hand.

Officials released a surveillance photo of the suspect on Thursday afternoon. The offender is still on the loose.

Suspect in Loop bank robbery on March 9, 2023 | FBI

No other injuries were reported and the investigation is ongoing.

Anonymous tips can be submitted to 312-421-6700 and tips.fbi.gov.

Meanwhile, Metra officials say the nearby Ogilvie Transportation Center was shut down for about 25 minutes as police conducted a sweep of the building; it reopened at approximately 4:10 p.m. when an all-clear was given.

Armed bank robbery in Loop on March 9, 2023 | @OliverSloup/Twitter

Fifth Third Bank released the following statement:

"We are not able to speak to the details of the incident, but the safety of our employees, customers and the public is our utmost concern. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities. If I am able to share more as we learn more I will reach out."