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FBI Arrests, Charges 'Time Bandit' Bank Robber

PALOS PARK, Ill. (STNG) ― Just two days after increasing the reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of a serial bank robber dubbed the "Time Bandit," the FBI arrested and charged a man Wednesday after finding him near southwest suburban Palos Park.

Scott C. Carlberg, 44, of 9860 W. 153rd St. in Orland Park, was arrested Wednesday by FBI Special Agents and was charged with one count of bank robbery, according to a release from the FBI.

Carlberg was arrested in Palos Township near 13100 S. La Grange Rd., the release said. He is expected to be responsible for the armed, take-over robberies of at least 11 banks in the south and southwest suburbs since January of 2005, the release said.

Wednesday afternoon, Calberg was formally charged and ordered held without bond by Judge Nan Nolan, the release said.

Carlberg was charged Wednesday for the Feb. 2, 2007 robbery of a TCF Bank branch at 2400 E. Lincoln Highway in New Lenox. Forensic evidence linked Carlberg to the robbery, after federal officials found a self storage locker containing "bait bills" whose serial numbers were prerecorded as well as DNA samples that were on file with the FBI, the release said.

On Monday, the FBI increased the reward for information leading to the robber's arrest to $40,000.

The most recent heist believed to be committed by the "Time Bandit" took place July 25, when the MB Financial Bank branch at 13900 South Bell Rd. in Homer Glen was robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash. According to witnesses, the robber entered the bank shortly before closing, brandishing a silver semi-automatic pistol, the release said.

He forced bank employees to the vault, where he ordered them to fill a blue duffle bag with cash. Although he threatened employees with harm if his instructions were not followed, no injuries were reported, the release said. He then fled the bank on foot.

The man has been given the moniker "Time Bandit" because he always instructs employees to count to 300 before summoning help, the release said.

After exiting the bank on July 25, a security camera captured his image after he removed the ski mask, revealing for the first time, the robber's face, according to the FBI.

Other thefts linked to the "Time Bandit" are as follows:
-- TCF Bank, 6410 West 127th St., Palos Heights, March 5
-- MB Financial Bank, 7000 County Line Rd., Burr Ridge, March 7
-- MB Financial Bank, 9701 S. Cicero, Oak Lawn, Feb. 7
-- TCF Bank, 2400 East Lincoln Highway, New Lenox, Feb. 2
-- Republic Bank, 9530 W. 131st St., Palos Park, Sept. 29, 2006
-- TCF Bank, 715 Plainfield Rd., Willowbrook, Nov. 9, 2005
-- TCF Bank, 6410 W. 127th St., Palos Heights, Sept. 16, 2005
-- MB Financial Bank, 5750 W. 87th St., Burbank, July 29, 2005
-- Citizens Financial Bank, 310 Weber Rd., Bolingbrook, Feb. 25, 2005
-- TCF Bank, 505 N. LaGrange Rd., Frankfort, Jan. 28, 2005

Carlberg is being held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago and faces up to twenty years in prison if convicted.

The FBI said at least 20 Chicago-area law enforcement agencies helped with the investigation and arrest of Carlberg.

(Source: Sun-Times News Group Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2008. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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