From the State’s Attorney:
STATE’S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE SECURES DETENTION OF KENOSHA MAN CHARGED IN ARMED FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE ROBBERY
McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi L. Freese announces that on November 3, 2026, Solomon Bankhead, 26, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, was ordered detained pending trial in connection with a December 2025 armed robbery in Harvard, Illinois.
The Honorable Judge Cynthia Lamb granted the State’s petition to deny pretrial release following Bankhead’s extradition to Illinois.
Bankhead faces
- one count of Armed Robbery with a Firearm, a Class X felony, and
- one count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, a Class 4 felony.
Evidence presented during the detention hearing revealed that on December 11, 2025, Bankhead and two accomplices allegedly arranged to meet a victim at Harvard High School under the pretense of purchasing jewelry advertised on Facebook Marketplace.
When the victim arrived with his mother, Bankhead allegedly emerged from behind a dumpster, pointed a loaded 9mm carbine rifle at the victim, and demanded that he empty his pockets.
While Bankhead searched the victim, an accomplice stole the jewelry.
The three suspects allegedly then fled in a vehicle, ultimately leading Walworth County Sheriff’s deputies on a high-speed pursuit into Wisconsin, reaching speeds exceeding 130 miles per hour.
Deputies successfully stopped the vehicle using tire deflation devices and apprehended all three suspects.
The rifle and stolen property were recovered from the vehicle.
Both accomplices also face armed robbery charges.
During the detention hearing, prosecutors argued that the planned nature of the robbery, the use of a firearm to threaten an unsuspecting victim, and the dangerous flight from law enforcement demonstrated that Bankhead posed a significant threat to public safety.
Judge Lamb agreed and ordered Bankhead detained pending trial.
“What should have been a simple Facebook Marketplace transaction turned into a terrifying armed robbery,” said State’s Attorney Freese.
“The calculated use of a firearm to threaten an innocent victim, followed by a reckless high-speed pursuit, demonstrates a complete disregard for human life.
“Our office will aggressively prosecute those who bring this kind of violence into our communities and fight to keep dangerous offenders detained pending trial.”
State’s Attorney Freese commends the Harvard Police Department and the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office for their investigative efforts and coordinated response that led to the apprehension of the suspects.
Bankhead’s next court appearance is scheduled for November 4, 2026, in Courtroom 304.
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office reminds residents to exercise caution when conducting online marketplace transactions and encourages exchanges at designated safe locations, preferably police departments.
Members of the public are reminded that criminal charges are allegations. Bankhead is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
