Jimmie D. Graves, 35, of Waukegan, (left) was arrested and charged after officials say he was an accomplice to a second suspect (middle and right) who robbed the Great Lakes Credit Union, 3290 North Lewis Avenue in Waukegan, on July 24, 2023. | Provided Photos

A Waukegan man was ordered held on a $500,000 bond after prosecutors say he was an accomplice to another man who robbed a bank while implying he had a gun in Waukegan.

The Waukegan Police Department responded just after 4 p.m. on July 24 to the Great Lakes Credit Union, 3290 North Lewis Avenue in Waukegan.

Officers received a report of a panic alarm activated from the bank.

The bank had locked its doors and closed its drive-thru before officers arrived.

Officers confirmed the bank had been robbed and two suspects had already fled the scene.

The FBI’s Chicago Field Office said they responded to the bank to begin investigating.

A spokesperson for the FBI said the main suspect was described as a male black, approximately 20-40 years old, 5-foot-6 and approximately 170 pounds.

The suspect displayed a demand note to the teller and implied he had a handgun.

[Suggested Article]  Boat heavily damaged after being discovered engulfed in flames at Waukegan Harbor and Marina

Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Francis DeRosa said the note said, “Put money in the bag or I’ll shoot you.” The teller handed over $1,000 to the unidentified suspect.

A Chevrolet Trailblazer, which belonged to Jimmie D. Graves, 35, of Waukegan, was seen driving in the parking lot just before the robbery.

Graves got out of the driver’s seat and the unidentified suspect both acknowledged each other before going into the bank together, DeRosa said.

Graves spoke with an employee and provided them with his bank card.

DeRosa said Graves exited the bank and retrieved a bag, which was used in the robbery, from the Chevrolet before re-entering the bank.

The Great Lakes Credit Union, located at 3290 North Lewis Avenue in Waukegan, was robbed by two suspects on July 24, 2023. | Photo: Google Street View

Graves left the bank and the second unidentified suspect left the bank after receiving the money.

Graves left the area in the Chevrolet and picked up the second suspect, who fled on foot from the bank, nearby.

[Suggested Article]  Residents evacuate safely after fire breaks out at house near Antioch

DeRosa said Graves admitted that he was the one who drove the other suspect to the bank.

 

Graves was charged with aggravated robbery, burglary and theft over $500.

The FBI said the main suspect in the robbery was wearing a red hooded sweatshirt with the word “Alabama” on the front, a dark blue or purple t-shirt under the sweatshirt and faded and torn dark-colored jeans.

He was wearing navy blue and white Jordan shoes with the number “23” on the back heel, the FBI said.

No injuries were reported during the robbery. It is unclear if the main suspect in the robbery has been charged yet.

Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak ordered Graves held on a $500,000 bond.

Graves has two prior convictions for aggravated robberies in Lake County.

Graves remains held in the Lake County Jail and would need to post $50,000 cash in order to be released.

[Suggested Article]  No one injured after cleaning crews discover fire in office of medical laboratory in Gurnee

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 5.