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Charges Expected In Waukegan Bank Robbery

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (CBS) -- Federal prosecutors are expected to file charges against a man accused of holding up a TCF Bank branch in a Waukegan Jewel-Osco store Monday.

Police said the thief demanded cash and threatened to shoot moments after the TCF branch opened for business.

LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Bob Roberts reports

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A friend stood 30 feet away speaking on his cell phone, apparently unaware that the robbery was taking place. Police said the thief allegedly told his friend he'd gone to the bank because he needed to cash a check.

The cabbie who acted as getaway driver said, in an interview with WBBM Newsradio, that he knew nothing, too.

"The only thing I've done, I was dispatched to pick up a couple of people from the Jewel-Osco," said the cabbie, who said he wished to remain unidentified. "I guess the guy was trying to be smart and had a cab there ready for him when it was time to go."

Police contacted the cab company, and officers descended on the 1000 block of New York Street, in Waukegan -- which caused the friend to come outside to find out what all the commotion was about.

"He didn't know the bank robbery actually took place until police were in front of the house," said Waukegan Police Cmdr. Gabriel Guzman.

Guzman says the man who robbed the bank ran -- and was cornered by a police dog.

Bob Roberts and Steve Miller, WBBM Newsradio 780

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