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The following article, appearing in today's CHICAGO TRIBUNE, could be
subtitled "This is what happens when you don't define your losses!"
BROKE TRADER HELD IN ROBBERY SPREE
Police Link Suspect To 7 Holdups
By
Andrew Buchanan
and Matt O'Connor
Tribune Staff Writers
A Winnetka [Illinois] man struggling to recoup severe financial losses
tried to bail himself out by going on a North Shore robbery spree, law
enforcement authorities alleged Wednesday.
William Hertzog Thompson, 46, of 333 Fairview Ave., has been charged
with the attempted robbery of a Glenview bank and has admitted to six
other robberies and attempted robberies over the past month, said FBI
spokesman Bob Long.
The laundry list of targets included three dry cleaners, a convenience
store, a bakery outlet store and another bank. In those incidents, the
robber got away with less than $2,000 total, officials said.
"Apparently, [Thompson] is broke right now," Long said. "That's
probably why he is searching for money in strange places."
Thompson was arrested Tuesday after the Glenview incident and was being
held in the federal Metropolitan Correction Center in Chicago's Loop
pending a Friday detention hearing, authorities said.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Martin Ashman ordered Thompson held without bond
until then.
According to federal sources, Thompson described himself as a
self-employed commodities trader who has been strapped for cash for a
couple of years since losing money trading on-line.
His alleged financial problems got worse in late April, when his
7-year-old son was struck by a car and needed substantial dental work,
sources said.
The motorist's insurer refused to pay the claims, and Thompson had to
come up with the money, sources said.
In a financial affidavit filed by Thompson in federal court, he said he
is unemployed, had no income in the last 12 months and had no cash or
savings.
Thompson listed substantial debts. He said he has a $2,200 monthly
mortgage and owes $270,000 on his Winnetka home, which he valued at
$360,000.
He also said he owes child support of $76,000, a car loan of $15,000 and
medical bills of $4,000.
Thompson said in the affidavit that he is married and has two children
living with him. According to the document, his wife works part time,
earning about $200 a month.
A woman who answered the door at the Thompson home declined to comment.
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