FBI: Suspect duct-taped sticks of Airborne Troop Parachute fireworks around his waist that looked like a bomb
By Mike Sandrolini
Lombardian/Villa park review Staff report
A Villa Park man has been charged with robbery after the FBI said he walked into a West Suburban Bank location in Lombard on Oct. 4 with sticks of Airborne Troop Parachute fireworks reportedly duct-taped around his waist that looked like a bomb, took $800 that was handed to him by the branch manager, and left the bank.
Jason Bradley was taken into custody early that night at his home in Villa Park. He remains in federal custody.
The FBI affidavit filed in U.S. District Court on Oct. 5 stated that video surveillance showed Bradley entering the bank, located in the 700 block of N. Main St., at approximately 1:17 p.m. wearing a red T-shirt, blue jeans, a gray zip-up hoodie and a blue medical face mask. He allegedly handed the branch manager a note saying, “I need everything from your drawer or WE ALL DIE!!!”
The FBI said Bradley then unzipped his sweatshirt, and revealed a device strapped to his waist that resembled a bomb. He gestured toward his waist to the device which appeared to be duct-taped and contained multiple white sticks and one red stick with black wires connected to them, according to the FBI.
The branch manager handed the note to the teller behind the window because the teller was the only one with access to the money. The teller pressed a distress button on the Teller Cash Recycler, which dispenses a predetermined amount of cash in specific denominations, and gave the suspect $800, the FBI said.
After being handed the money, the FBI said Bradley left the bank and entered a silver Chevrolet Cruze which was registered to him. The FBI said Bradley ditched his car in Elmhurst and walked back to his home. According to the FBI, Bradley texted his wife a photo of him holding a handful of cash with the text saying, “Nobody has been looking for me? Nothing? Wtf.”
At approximately 2 p.m., the FBI said it began conducting surveillance outside Bradley’s house in Villa Park. According to law enforcement officers on surveillance, they saw Bradley return to the house on foot at approximately 4:30 p.m. wearing the same red T-shirt and blue jeans he had reportedly been wearing at the time of the alleged robbery.
The FBI said Bradley went inside the house, and at approximately 6:40 p.m., exited the house and sat on the front steps to smoke a cigarette. Bradley was then taken into custody. According to the FBI, law enforcement searched Bradley pursuant to his arrest and found approximately $747 on his person.
The FBI said Bradley’s wife signed a written consent form authorizing a search of the house, of which she is the sole owner, and also forwarded the texts from Bradley.
According to the FBI, Bradley’s wife told the agency that at around 5:45 p.m., Bradley had called her and told her he had robbed a bank and ditched his car in Elmhurst. The FBI said his wife stated that he told her he strapped fireworks to his chest, handed a note to the teller and then texted her the picture of him holding the wad of cash.
The FBI said a red shirt that appeared to be the one worn during the course of the alleged robbery, fireworks wrappers, a notepad consistent with the demand note, and a roll of duct tape were recovered upon searching the home.
The FBI also said it recovered Bradley’s vehicle in the area of the 100 block of N. Walnut St. in Elmhurst.
