Last month, it was reported that the Bridgeview bank in Harlem Ave., Bridgeview was robbed.
The FBI got involved in the investigation and described the man as Hispanic with a large build as per Patch's previous report.
On November 27, Anselmo Tapia turned himself in. It appears that he was convinced by his family to surrender to the authorities.
The police said that the suspect's family members urged him to turn himself in. Apparently, neighborhood social media also took part in convincing Tapia to submit himself to the police.
After the robbery, FBI and Bridgeview police coordinated to disseminate photos of the suspect and the physical statistics of the robber to the local media. The images spread immediately because it was widely shared in social media.
Upon seeing the surveillance images, the family members recognized him. The images were depicted in clarity and Tapia was asked by his own family to give up and surrender.
Bridgeview Police Chief Walter Klimek said in Patch's new report that the relatives also played a part in his surrender. "The suspect had been clearly identified in the photo from the bank and it was just a matter of time," Klimek added.
Here's what happened:
A man walked into the bank and stopped by the teller window. He then proceeded to show a note to the teller, asked for money and claimed that he carries a gun. It was just fortunate that the situation was not intensified. No one was hurt during the event.
Police reported that Tapia turned himself in last November 27 and apparently confessed to taking part in the heist because he had some unsettled dues to an individual.
Tapia was charged with aggravated robbery and bail was set for him for the amount of $100,000. He is up for a court meeting on December 23.
Since it did not fit the federal standard for prosecution, the case was handled by Bridgeview local police.
Klimek, the police chief said, "A weapon was inferred and the money that was taken did not meet the FBI's requirements."
