Aged financial institution robber: 83-year-old Donald Bennett linked to suburban crimes, arrested after Valentine’s Day heist, FBI says

CHICAGO (WLS) — An aged man and his youthful confederate have been arrested after a Valentine’s Day financial institution theft.

In response to a not too long ago filed FBI felony grievance, 83-year-old Donald Bennett and 55-year-old Edward Binert could also be linked to a collection of armed financial institution robberies that began in the summertime of 2023.

Bennett was beforehand convicted in 1989 for a number of Chicago-area financial institution robberies. He was additionally convicted for an assault with a lethal weapon in 1967 in Kentucky. Bennett was not too long ago launched from jail in 2020 after serving a 31-year sentence, in keeping with the FBI.

The grievance alleges Bennett and Binert met one another whereas serving time in federal jail.

There are seven financial institution robberies at Chase and Fifth Third Banks being investigated by the FBI that are probably linked to Bennett and Binert. The primary two have been on June 27 and Aug. 25 in Oak Garden, adopted by a Nov. 1 theft in Lombard. Then there was a Nov. 29 financial institution theft in Willowbrook after which one other theft on Dec. 1 in Tinley Park. The brand new 12 months noticed a Jan. 26 financial institution theft in Glen Ellyn.

The ultimate heist that led to the alleged duo’s downfall was a Valentines Day heist on Feb. 14 in Hickory Hills, wherein the robbers used pretend wigs and face coverings. Bennett was arrested Thursday and is awaiting a detention listening to that can be held at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 22.