A   A   A

Posted: Monday, 24 December 2012 5:03AM

Chicago bandit captured after high-rise prison escape



CHICAGO (Reuters) - The FBI said on Friday it captured one of two bank robbers who escaped this week from a high-rise jail in downtown Chicago by rappelling to the street using a makeshift rope and hailing a cab to get away.

Joseph Jose Banks, 37, was taken into custody without incident late on Thursday night in an apartment complex on the city's north side, said FBI spokeswoman Joan Hyde.

Banks appeared subdued during his brief appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sidney Schenkier on Friday. Banks was shackled at the hands and legs and dressed in an orange jump suit like the one he was wearing when he staged the daring escape with his cell mate early Tuesday morning.

He is charged with escape from federal custody.

Banks waived his right to a detention hearing. He will be put in solitary confinement at the Metropolitan Correctional Center from which he escaped, according to Beau Brindley, Banks' attorney.

Banks and his cell mate, Kenneth Conley, escaped from the MCC early on Tuesday morning. The pair apparently broke a window in the cell they shared, squeezed through the opening and lowered themselves nearly 20 stories to the street, authorities said.

They made their rope from bed sheets and dental floss, according to local media reports.

The FBI said that, based on videotape evidence, agents believe the pair hailed a taxi a few blocks from the jail after making their escape.

Banks was convicted of armed robbery this month, and Conley pleaded guilty to bank robbery in October. Both men were set to be sentenced early next year.

According to a federal affidavit, Banks and Conley were present during a physical head count at the jail at 10 p.m. Monday.

But jail employees arriving for work Tuesday morning saw what appeared to be a rope hanging from a window on the south side of the building. When a physical head count was conducted inside the facility, neither Banks nor Conley was present.

Conley is considered armed and dangerous, the FBI said.

Escape carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Story Copyright 2012, Reuters
Photo Copyright 2012, Getty Images
Filed Under :  
Topics : Law_Crime
Social :
Locations : Chicago
People : Beau BrindleyJoan HydeKenneth ConleySidney Schenkier

More poor people now live in suburbs than cities


The number of people living in poverty in suburbs surpassed the number of poor in cities.

Berlusconi's party dancers dressed as Obama, nuns


Dancers at Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's "bunga bunga" parties dressed like President Obama.

Parking meter 'Robin Hoods' sued by New Hampshire city


James Cleaveland wanted to do all he could to keep police from issuing parking tickets.

VIDEO: Singing passenger forces emergency landing


A plane made an emergency landing after a passenger refused to stop singing. Watch the video!

Man dribbling soccer ball to Brazil hit by car, dies


A man less than two weeks into a journey to dribble a soccer ball from Seattle to Brazil has died.

Man bulldozes neighborhood over fence dispute


A Washington man, frustrated over a neighbor's fence, bulldozed his neighborhood.

New fitness centers cater to '50 and over' crowd


Baby boomers are designing senior-friendly gyms and becoming their own personal trainers.

Judge rules that cheerleaders may display 'Bible banners'


A Texas judge ruled that the "Bible banners" waved by cheerleaders are constitutionally protected.

Anti-sexual assault unit boss arrested for sexual assault


The officer in charge of a program to curb sexual assault in the Air Force was arrested for sexual assault.

They're back: 17-year cicadas to swarm


Colossal numbers of cicadas, unhurriedly growing underground since 1996, are about to emerge.

Native American tribe plans to dub 'Star Wars' in Navajo


The largest Native American tribe seeking to dub the classic 1977 movie "Star Wars" movie in Navajo.

Woman accused of planting poisoned juice at Starbucks


A woman has been arrested for poisoning bottles at a Starbucks.

Man loses life savings on carnival game


A man lost his entire life savings on a carnival game and only has a stuffed banana to show for it.

Mormon bishop brandishes Samurai sword to defend neighbor


A Mormon bishop armed with a Samurai sword came to the defense of his neighbor.

Campaigners call for ban on 'killer robots'


Machines with the ability to attack targets must be banned before they are developed.