September 7, 2006

A 79-year-old Hyde Park woman — possibly the oldest female charged with attempted bank robbery in Chicago history — was released to her daughter’s custody on a $4,500 bond Wednesday.

Melvena Cooke, who the FBI said wore a white visor that read “princess” and black sunglasses when she tried to hold up a Loop bank with a toy gun, put on face powder and lipstick before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sidney I. Schenkier explained the charge and conditions of her bond.

‘Give me $30,000 . . . no dye’

“Can you hear me all right?” Schenkier asked the trim, dark-haired senior citizen dressed in a black tunic, white slacks and gym shoes.

“I hear you fine,” Cooke replied.

Cooke walked into the Bank of America branch at 33 N. Dearborn on Tuesday morning and told a female teller she could not speak very loud because she had just come from the dentist’s office, according to an FBI agent’s affidavit.

When the teller leaned in to hear Cooke, the retiree opened a plastic Payless Shoe Source bag, partly pulled out what appeared to be a gun and said, “Give me $30,000. My friend is across the street. And no dye,” the affidavit said.

‘Don’t move’

The teller reached into her drawer but then continued to activate the silent alarm several times. The teller then closed her drawers and walked away from the counter. Cooke told the teller “don’t move” but then left the bank after waiting in line for a few minutes, taking off her trench coat and placing it in the bag outside, the affidavit said.

A bank employee who witnessed the crime flagged down a police officer who arrested Cooke next door at Walgreens, 15 W. Washington.

If convicted, Cooke could face up to 20 years in prison, Assistant U.S. Attorney Tinos Diamantatos said.

Cooke mostly smiled and spoke with the FBI agents who led her into the federal courtroom in handcuffs before the hearing.

She later joked with federal defender Rose Lindsay, commenting on how much her big black briefcase weighed during a recess.

“Is this heavier than your bag?” she asked her daughter, Deborah, who sat a few feet away with a University of Chicago tote.

Melvena and Deborah Cooke, both of the 5300 block of South Hyde Park Avenue, refused comment.

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