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Oak Forest Schools on Lockdown as Search Continues for Escaped Bank Robbers

Oak Forest school officials are taking extra precautions as police search for two bank robbers escaped from the Metropolitan Correctional Center in the Loop.

 

Several Oak Forest schools are on lockdown Tuesday morning, as authorities search for two convicted bank robbers who escaped from a jail in the Loop, and are considered armed and dangerous.  

Tinley Park High School is on total lockdown—all doors, windows, and classroom doors are locked. Forest Ridge District 142 and Arbor Park District 145 buildings are on soft lockdown. The facilities are secured and children will be kept indoors, according to administrators. St. Damian doors are kept locked at all times, but students will be kept indoors for recess. 

Jose Banks, 37, and Kenneth Conley, 38, are both convicted bank robbers, and should be considered armed and dangerous, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The men escaped from the Metropolitan Correctional Center in the Loop some time between 5 a.m. and 8:45 a.m., according to a report from the Chicago Tribune.  Authorities believe the men used tied-together rope or bed sheets to climb down the building, according to ABC News.

The men were last seen in Tinley Park, though the FBI did not specify their exact location.

Banks is described as 5 feet 8 inches, 160 pounds and black. Conley is described as 6 feet, 185 pounds and white. The men were originally wearing orange jumpsuits, but may now be wearing white shirts, sweat pants and white gym shoes.

At least one helicopter searching for the two was seen near Tinley Park High School and the former Panduit facility. Community Consolidated School District 146 schools and the administration center are in a soft lock down until further notice.

 

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Related Topics: Oak Forest school security, Oak Forest schools lockdown, and escaped convicts in Tinley Park

Katie

1:12 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Anyone know if they are still on lockdown at TPHS or if the guys have been caught?

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Lauren Traut

1:43 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Hello, Katie. We'll get an update from D228 administration, but the men have not been caught.

Thanks.
Lauren Traut,
Associate Regional Editor

Th

2:11 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Do we know if the students at the schools have been notified of the lockdown and are aware of the situation? After last weeks events I am concerned that if they are aware, they be very alarmed etc.

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Richard DeVries

2:23 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Lauren do you know if scarlet oaks was in lock down

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Lauren Traut

2:25 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012

From what we understand, all District 145 schools were put into lockdown mode.

mary villalobos

2:42 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012

why weren't the parents notified of the schools being put on lockdown?

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Mike F.

2:48 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Complain to the school district, not to Patch.

Angel McDaniel

3:06 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Heard they killed someone in Oak Forest, Gingerwood area. Is this true?

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Lauren Traut

3:11 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012

There is no confirmation of anything of the sort, Angel. Thanks for reading and commenting. We will update the original story with additional facts as soon as they become available.

TH

3:51 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012

My son attends arbor park middle school and we were advised during the day via a recording from the district.

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Steve Silha

3:56 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012

I received very quick notification via email and school reach for Hille and Foster. This would be a good time, by the way, to commend both schools on how they have handled this as well as the Connecticut shootings. They have been clearly focused on the safety and well being of our students. Well done guys !!!

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Monique

4:04 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012

My son's school was also on a lockdown in Homer Glen. I hope these guys are caught...SOON!

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