CHICAGO — The FBI has filed charges against a man suspected of robbing four Chicago banks since late February after his romantic partner identified him from surveillance images, according to federal court filings.
“All those pictures are John. Every single one,” the person identified in federal complaints only as “Individual A,” told federal agents.
John Boettjer, 38, is now charged with one count of bank robbery for allegedly holding up the Chase Bank at 3204 West Irving Park on April 5. But the FBI has linked him to three other bank robberies in Bucktown and Logan Square.
During each robbery, Boettjer handed tellers notes demanding $50 and $100 bills that federal officials said had similar handwriting and “similar underlining.”
In addition to the Irving Park holdup, Boettjer allegedly robbed Chase Bank, 2235 North Milwaukee, on February 28; PNC Bank, 2300 North Milwaukee, on March 8; and PNC Bank, 1955 North Damen, on April 5.
The day after the April 5 robberies, the FBI received a tip from Individual A, who has “known BOETTJER romantically for many years,” the federal complaint said. They told the FBI that they remembered riding past the bank on Irving Park recently with Boettjer, who said something about wanting to rob the bank.
On April 5, Boettjer allegedly borrowed his lover’s car to commit the bank robberies. Shortly after the Irving Park holdup, the FBI said, Boettjer texted Individual A: “Baby I had to do this to make sure we were okay I love you very much I’m trying to prove to you. I took $2,000 I’m giving you a thousand right away.”
In fact, Boettjer did give them $1,000 as soon as he returned their car, said the FBI agent’s complaint.
Chicago police and other law enforcement officers arrested Boettjer at the O’Hare Inn and Suites in Schiller Park last Friday. Individual A told the FBI they had rented a room there for Boettjer, according to court records.
