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A rope dangles from about 15 stories up along the south side of the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago's Loop after Jose Banks and Kenneth Conley escaped on Dec. 18, 2012. Central District Police Sgt. Michael Lazzaro said authorities discovered them missing from their cell at about 8:45 a.m. The last time they checked the men was at 5 a.m. that morning.
Jos M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
A rope dangles from about 15 stories up along the south side of the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago’s Loop after Jose Banks and Kenneth Conley escaped on Dec. 18, 2012. Central District Police Sgt. Michael Lazzaro said authorities discovered them missing from their cell at about 8:45 a.m. The last time they checked the men was at 5 a.m. that morning.

Photos: A look back when bank robbers escaped from federal jail in 2012

By | smrosenberg@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
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A rope dangles from about 15 stories up along the south side of the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago's Loop after Jose Banks and Kenneth Conley escaped on Dec. 18, 2012. Central District Police Sgt. Michael Lazzaro said authorities discovered them missing from their cell at about 8:45 a.m. The last time they checked the men was at 5 a.m. that morning.
A rope dangles from about 15 stories up along the south side of the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago’s Loop after Jose Banks and Kenneth Conley escaped on Dec. 18, 2012. Central District Police Sgt. Michael Lazzaro said authorities discovered them missing from their cell at about 8:45 a.m. The last time they checked the men was at 5 a.m. that morning.
Onlookers, including Aleem Mohammed, pointing, owner of Americana Submarine across from the jail, stop to look at a rope which dangles from about 15 stories up along the south side of the Metropolitan Correctional Center.
Onlookers, including Aleem Mohammed, pointing, owner of Americana Submarine across from the jail, stop to look at a rope which dangles from about 15 stories up along the south side of the Metropolitan Correctional Center.
The FBI released photos of Joseph Banks and Ken Conley, who escaped from the Metropolitan Correctional Center in downtown Chicago on Dec. 18, 2012.
The FBI released photos of Joseph Banks and Ken Conley, who escaped from the Metropolitan Correctional Center in downtown Chicago on Dec. 18, 2012.
Investigators view the outside of the Metropolitan Correctional Center in downtown Chicago after two prisoners escaped from the building on Dec. 18, 2012. Authorities discovered them missing from their cell at about 8:45 a.m.
Investigators view the outside of the Metropolitan Correctional Center in downtown Chicago after two prisoners escaped from the building on Dec. 18, 2012. Authorities discovered them missing from their cell at about 8:45 a.m.
A rope dangles from about 15 stories up along the south side of the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago after the escape by Jose Banks and Kenneth Conley.
A rope dangles from about 15 stories up along the south side of the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago after the escape by Jose Banks and Kenneth Conley.
FBI agents, joined by Tinley Park and Cook County sheriff’s deputies, search the Metra station in Tinley Park for escaped bank robbers Ken Conley and Joseph “Jose” Banks after the two escaped from the Metropolitan Correctional Center in the Loop.
A Chicago police officer and another law enforcement personnel inside the lobby at the Metropolitan Correctional Center on Dec. 18, 2012 following the escape.
A Chicago police officer and another law enforcement personnel inside the lobby at the Metropolitan Correctional Center on Dec. 18, 2012 following the escape.
A hole is visible where (lower right row, two windows over from right) two convicted bank robbers Joseph “Jose” Banks and Kenneth Conley escaped from the Metropolitan Correctional Center.
A Chicago police officer walks by the Metropolitan Correctional Center in downtown Chicago where two prisoners escaped.
A Chicago police officer walks by the Metropolitan Correctional Center in downtown Chicago where two prisoners escaped.
A hole is visible where two convicted bank robbers Joseph “Jose” Banks and Kenneth Conley escaped from the Metropolitan Correctional Center. The FBI is offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the capture of two convicted robbers who rappelled down the side of a high-rise federal jail in the South Loop, scurrying some 15 floors to freedom on a rope made of bedsheets.
An exterior view, Dec. 18, 2012, looking northeast shows the Metropolitan Correctional Center from which prisoners escaped that morning.
An exterior view, Dec. 18, 2012, looking northeast shows the Metropolitan Correctional Center from which prisoners escaped that morning.
A rope is seen dangling from about 15 stories up along the south side of the Metropolitan Correctional Center following the escape.
A rope is seen dangling from about 15 stories up along the south side of the Metropolitan Correctional Center following the escape.
FBI agents, joined by Tinley Park and Cook County sheriff’s deputies, search the Metra station in Tinley Park for escaped bank robbers Ken Conley and Joseph “Jose” Banks after the two escaped from the Metropolitan Correctional Center in the Loop.
FBI agents, joined by Tinley Park and Cook County sheriff’s deputies, search an area in Tinley Park for escaped bank robbers Ken Conley and Joseph “Jose” Banks after the two escaped from the Metropolitan Correctional Center in the Loop.
FBI agents, joined by Tinley Park and Cook County sheriff’s deputies search a home in Tinley Park for escaped bank robbers Ken Conley and Joseph “Jose” Banks after the two escaped from the Metropolitan Correctional Center in the Loop.
Escaped bank robber Kenneth Conley was apprehended near this building in an apartment complex across the street from Palos Hills police headquarters on Jan. 4, 2013. Conley escaped from the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago on Dec. 18, 2012.
Escaped bank robber Kenneth Conley was apprehended near this building in an apartment complex across the street from Palos Hills police headquarters on Jan. 4, 2013. Conley escaped from the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago on Dec. 18, 2012.

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