CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – The Champaign Police Department (CPD) is asking for community assistance in investigating a bank robbery that happened in the 2000 block of W. Springfield Ave. just after 9 a.m. Saturday, July 27.

Officers were dispatched to the scene following reports of a robbery in progress.  Upon arrival, they began gathering information about the events that had transpired. According to initial reports, a suspect entered the bank and demanded money while implying possession of a firearm.  According to CPD officials, they were told that the suspect also issued threats to the bank staff.

Nobody was hurt and no gun was ever displayed by the suspect, according to police reports.  The suspect apparently fled with an undisclosed amount of cash from the bank.

Investigators are focused on identifying any witnesses who might have seen the suspect before or after the robbery. They are also looking for video footage from residents and businesses in the area that have exterior surveillance camera systems. Such footage could prove to be invaluable in piecing together the sequence of events and identifying the perpetrator.

CPD is asking that anyone with relevant information to contact the police department immediately. Residents and business owners equipped with surveillance systems are highly encouraged to review their footage and report any suspicious activity recorded around the time of the incident.

For anyone with additional information, the Champaign Police can be contacted at 217-351-4545.  Arrangements can also be made to share information privately. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 217-373-8477 (TIPS), online at 373tips.com, or via the “P3 Tips” mobile app. It is important to remember that all information submitted to Crime Stoppers is completely anonymous. Calls are routed to a third-party national call center, which then relays the information to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Crime Stoppers does not use caller ID tracking nor are conversations recorded, ensuring your privacy is protected.

Crime Stoppers is offering cash rewards for tips that result in arrests. Specific rewards include:

  • $5,000 for tips leading to an arrest in any homicide case.
  • $2,500 for tips leading to an arrest in a felony crime involving a firearm.
  • Up to $1,000 for tips leading to the arrest of persons responsible for any other crimes.

While CPD has not released information identifying which bank was robbed, Chambana Today has mapped several in 2000 block of W. Springfield Ave. including Busey Bank and Heartland Bank and Trust Company.