CHICAGO — The alleged getaway driver in the Des Plaines bank robbery Tuesday is facing a federal charge.
Maurice Murphy, 32, was arrested Tuesday in Des Plaines as he was attempting to evade police on foot, according to court documents.
Residents in the area saw Murphy running through the neighborhood and acted quickly.
“I thought that he did something bad because police were already here,” said one of the residents who did not wish to be identified by name. “I have never seen that much police at the same time.”
With the help of another man, the two Good Samaritans tackled Murphy to the ground.
“He was trying to jump the fence again but my buddy got him from the back,” he said. “I went to throw his head down and after that he couldn’t move.”
The two didn’t know at the time that the suspects had robbed the nearby bank.
Murphy is accused of driving the getaway car for Christopher Willis, who was shot and killed Tuesday after a pursuit entered Chicago. The vehicle Murphy was allegedly driving before the robbery at a Bank of America branch was not involved in the police pursuit into Chicago.
Willis shot a Chicago police officer in the head after he stole a Buick in Des Plaines following the robbery, police said. A 15-year-old was also shot in the crossfire on West Irving Park Road as he was working at a music store.
Murphy initially told police he did not know Willis, but when confronted with surveillance footage he told police, “you got me,” according to court documents.
The 46-year-old Chicago police officer was transported to Illinois Masonic in serious but stable condition.
Murphy has been charged with one felony count of bank robbery. His next court appearance is Monday.