An 85-year-old man has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for orchestrating a series of brazen bank robberies across the Chicago suburbs.
According to reporting by ABC7 Chicago, Donald Bennett received the sentence following his conviction on eight out of nine counts related to the crimes.
A jury found Bennett guilty in February 2025 for his role in the multi-bank spree.
Court records indicate that Bennett and his accomplice, Edward Binert, met while both were serving time in federal prison.
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The pair initiated their crime wave with robberies in Oak Lawn on June 27 and August 25, followed by a heist in Lombard on November 1.
The spree continued with subsequent robberies in Willowbrook on November 29 and Tinley Park on December 1.
A final robbery occurred in Glen Ellyn on January 26, leading into the new year.
The duo’s criminal activity concluded with a Valentine’s Day heist on February 14, 2024, at a Chase Bank located in Hickory Hills.
During that final robbery, the men used face coverings and fake wigs to disguise their identities.
FBI agents arrested both men shortly after the Hickory Hills incident.
Binert pleaded guilty to his involvement in October 2024 and currently awaits his own sentencing hearing.
Bennett’s criminal history spans decades, including a 1989 conviction for multiple Chicago-area bank robberies.
He also served time for an assault with a deadly weapon in Kentucky in 1967.
Prior to this latest string of offenses, Bennett had been released from prison in 2020 after serving 31 years for previous bank robberies.
Community Safety and Awareness
Local law enforcement agencies emphasize that bank robberies remain high-priority investigations involving federal intervention.
Residents are advised to remain vigilant when visiting financial institutions and to report any suspicious individuals or vehicles loitering near bank entrances.
If you ever find yourself in a bank during a robbery, remain calm and avoid making sudden movements.
Prioritize your safety by following the instructions of the individuals committing the crime without attempting to intervene.
Contact local police or the FBI immediately once you reach a safe location away from the scene.
