Three Northwest Side youths were ordered held on $500,000 bond each Thursday for allegedly donning masks to rob a bank and a computer store at gunpoint.
“These kids were exceptionally bright kids,” said Assistant Cook County State’s Atty. J. Nathan Toney of the students. “They have decent backgrounds and are active in their schools.”
Charged as adults were Thomas Kim, 16, of 4945 N. Central Park Ave.; Brian Issleb, 16, of 4037 N. Laramie Ave.; and Lionel Rabb, 17, of 5141 N. Bernard St. Their bails were set by Circuit Judge Robert Bastone. They are charged with robbing the TCF Bank, 6133 N. Northwest Hwy., on Jan. 14 and the Advanced Computer Systems store at 6320 N. Lincoln Ave. in May.
Christian Somera, 16, of 6024 N. Artesian Ave., also was charged as an adult for allegedly driving the getaway car in the bank robbery. Prosecutors said he was not involved in the other robbery. His bail was set at $200,000.
Toney said Rabb, Kim and Issleb entered the bank at 6:54 p.m. wearing masks and Rabb, who allegedly held a Tec-9 semiautomatic gun, ordered the employees to kneel in the back. Toney said Kim allegedly stood watch with a .38-caliber gun while Issleb allegedly took money from each cash drawer. Toney said Rabb ordered the victims to put money from the safe into a black gym bag. Toney said the robbers then ordered the employees into the basement and fled with $23,000.
