Man charged with robbing Skokie bank at gunpoint

(SUN TIMES MEDIA WIRE) - A north suburban Evanston man has been charged with robbing a bank Tuesday evening in Skokie.

Gary Gaines, 36, was charged with bank robbery after holding up a First Bank and Trust branch at 8047 Skokie Blvd., according to FBI spokesman Garrett Coon.

About 5:50 p.m., Gaines entered the bank, approached a teller with a silver handgun and demanded money, according to the FBI. A teller gave him $9,999, which included “bait bills” and a GPS tracker.

He then ran away north on Skokie Boulevard, where he was tracked by police using the GPS device, according to the FBI.

Gaines was taken into custody about 6 p.m. in the 8000 block of Kenton Avenue, the FBI and Skokie police said. The cash and gun were recovered.

While in custody, Gaines asked Skokie police officers, “How did you guys get me so fast?” the FBI said.

Gaines was ordered held in federal custody.