Three Arrested Following Springfield Bank Robberies

Three individuals from Danville and La Salle have been arrested in connection with two recent bank robberies in Springfield, according to the Springfield Police Department.

On October 9 at approximately 4:40 p.m., officers responded to a hold-up alarm at U.S. Bank, 800 E. North Grand Avenue. Dispatchers received additional calls reporting that the bank had been robbed by a masked male suspect who demanded money and fled with several thousand dollars. Officers searched the surrounding area but were unable to locate the suspect at that time. Detectives from the department’s Criminal Investigations Division were called to the scene to continue the investigation.

Nine days later, on October 18 at about 11:48 a.m., officers were dispatched to Clock Tower Community Bank, 1953 Sangamon Avenue, for another reported robbery. Police said the male suspect, armed with a screwdriver, demanded money from employees and escaped with several thousand dollars. A witness provided vehicle information to dispatchers, allowing responding officers to locate and pursue the suspect vehicle.

The vehicle stopped near Pasfield and Monroe Streets, where two occupants exited and were detained. They were identified as Jacob Ortiz-Wilson, 35, of Danville, and Shaea Keys, 32, of Danville. A third suspect, Winston Douglas, 33, of La Salle, fled in the vehicle but was later apprehended after the car was disabled near Pasfield and Jefferson Streets. Two firearms were recovered from the vehicle, and several police squad cars sustained damage during the pursuit.

All three suspects were arrested and face multiple charges:

• Shaea Keys – Financial Institution Robbery, Theft of Property, Aggravated Fleeing/Eluding, and Leaving the Scene of an Accident.

• Jacob Ortiz-Wilson – Financial Institution Robbery, Theft of Property, Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Possession of a Stolen Firearm.

• Winston Douglas – Financial Institution Robbery, Theft of Property, Resisting Arrest, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.

Investigators have linked Douglas to both the Clock Tower Community Bank and U.S. Bank robberies.

Police said the investigation remains ongoing and additional information may be released as it becomes available.

Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact the Springfield Police Department at 217-788-8311.