Haris Matchalovas is accused of robbing several banks at knifepoint over the past year.
A Zion man is charged with robbing an Evanston bank at knifepoint in August; and the FBI has said he also robbed six other banks in the city and suburbs over the past year, and stole liquor from three suburban grocery stores.
After the teller sent an instant message to the branch manager, bank manager, assistant manager, and another teller saying he was being robbed, another teller came up to intervene, and Matchalovas said,"since you are here you can empty your drawer too," then asked"what's taking so long? Hurry up," before coming behind the counter to retrieve money, when one of the tellers noticed he was carrying a knife.
Less than an hour after that bank robbery, Matchalovas was caught on video stealing five cases of cognac from a Costco in Mettawa, about 24 miles away. According to the FBI, he was caught on video at the Costco, wearing the same clothing and driving the same red Cadillac SRX from the Evanston bank robbery. Surveillance video showed what appeared to be an uninflated Winnie the Pooh kiddie pool in the trunk.