Accused Bank Robber Apprehended in Springfield Wednesday

The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office reports 54-year-old John Beck is in custody. Beck’s the parolee, authorities say, has an extensive criminal record for bank robberies. He was taken into custody (Wednesday) in Springfield. Beck’s been on the run having allegedly robbed the Odell Branch of the Bank of Pontiac Friday, April 9th. Police also said Beck is accused of robbing a bank in Peoria County around 10:40 Tuesday morning.

During the Tuesday robbery, Beck displayed a pipe and stole an undetermined amount of cash. No injuries were reported.

Law enforcement in several counties were investigating Beck’s alleged involvement in other armed robberies in recent days. There was gas station robbery in Odell Saturday afternoon and a convenience store was robbed in Paxton Sunday night. No injuries were reported in either case.

Beck was released from the Sheridan Correctional Center on parole in 2020 after serving part of a 25-year sentence he received for robbing a bank in Champaign County in 2008. He also had previous felony convictions for theft and aggravated battery in Piatt County, aggravated robbery in Champaign and Macon County, forgery in Sangamon and Livingston County, and violation of bail bond in Adams County.

Prior to all that, Beck was sentenced to 13 years in prison for Aggravated Robbery out of Champaign County in 1993.

94.1 WGFA