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Chicago Bank Robber Forgets His Cash

By Stephanie Rabiner, Esq. on May 08, 2012 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

A Monday morning bank heist has left Chicago police and federal investigators scratching their heads. And a robber with little to show for his crimes.

The man in question entered a Michigan Avenue bank, claiming to be carrying a bomb. He then handed his bag to the teller and demanded that she fill it with cash. Before she could finish (and hand it back), he abruptly turned around and left.

Yeah, it's not every day that a robber forgets the cash.

Now, this blogger knows what you're all thinking. If a robber forgets the cash, did he technically rob the bank?

In this situation, the answer is a resounding "yes."

When the bank in question is regulated by the Federal Reserve, which most banks are, bank robbery is governed by federal law. The federal bank robbery statute covers anyone who:

  1. Through force, intimidation or extortion takes or attempts to take, any property, money or thing of value in the care or custody of a bank; or
  2. Enters a bank building with the intent to commit larceny or any felony affecting the financial institution.

Bank robber? He threatened the teller with a fake bomb, according to the Chicago Tribune. That's intimidation. He also attempted to take the money. He just happened to have forgotten it.

He also entered the bank building with the intent to commit theft. Again, it's irrelevant that the robber forgot the cash. He's still technically a bank robber under federal law.

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