IL IL - Lane Bryant Murders, Tinley Park, 2 Feb 2008

[mothwings]

I don't think it's fair to blame a victim for a traumatic event. We have absolutely no evidence that she colluded with others in setting this up. If law enforcement has ever called her a suspect or a POI, please point it out to me.

I have faith that the authorities would have looked into her background, friendships, acquaintances, and so on. I think we need to focus on the evidence we do have: the police sketch, the known timeline, and the eyewitness account.

I’ve researched this case by looking into other robberies in the area around that time. I know some people believe that a certain bank robbery suspect may have been involved. He died in a police shootout following a high-speed chase. The cop who shot him in self defense provided his photos of the crime scene. There were a lot of robberies that year. For example, a jewelry store robbery in August 2008 ended with one of the suspects being killed.


IMO this was a lone-wolf criminal. I believe the early police theory: that he intended to rob each customer one by one as they came into the store, before forcing them into the back room. Hence the delivery man rouse so that he could look like he had a reason to be there as customers came in. Other robbers have used this tactic before. He was likely a reckless criminal with poor impulse control.

It's still pretty miraculous she survived. Did police at first say there were no survivors?

Well that was quick. Having never done this before, I didn't know what to ask for. Should I have asked differently?

I removed my name and the name of the officer and the reference # for privacy.
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--- Please respond above this line ---

RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST of August 12, 2025, Reference #

You are hereby notified that your request for disclosure, dated August 12, 2025, for the following record(s):

I would like any and all records of the Lane Bryant murders in Tinley Park on Feb 2, 2008.

Is hereby denied for the following reason(s):

This request deals with “Information specifically prohibited from disclosure by federal or state law. This is based on Section 7(1)(d)(i), “Interfere with pending or actually and reasonably contemplated law enforcement proceedings conducted by any law enforcement or correctional agency that is the recipient of the request”.

The person or persons making this decision to deny and their title or titles are set forth below:

Name: Title:
Deputy Village Clerk/FOIA Officer

You are hereby further notified that you have the right to a review of this decision by the Public Access Counselor in the office of the Illinois Attorney General by filing a request for such review with the Public Access Counselor within sixty (60) days of this denial. The Public Access Counselor may be contacted at 217-558-0486. The address of the Public Access Counselor is:

500 S 2nd Street
Springfield, IL 62706
Email: [email protected]

You are further advised that you have the right to appeal this decision to the Circuit Court of this County under Section 11 of the Freedom of Information Act.



Tinley Park Police Department
Records Division

---

To monitor the progress or update this request please log into the Tinley Park FOIA Center.

I would appeal it.

 

[333_OnlyHalfEvil]

It's still pretty miraculous she survived. Did police at first say there were no survivors?


I would appeal it.

IIRC, they waited until she was out of the hospital and in protective custody before saying there was a survivor.

Is there anything more specific I should ask for? Anyone know what other people say when placing a request?

 

[mothwings]

IIRC, they waited until she was out of the hospital and in protective custody before saying there was a survivor.

Is there anything more specific I should ask for? Anyone know what other people say when placing a request?

I think it's a worthwhile venture but I also think your request is too broad. 'All' would mean they'd need a retainer just to see how much it was going to cost to find, review, redact, which if this case has 50,000 + pages, videos, audio—it be astronomically pricey.

They'll never release the harrowing 911 call but appeal like it says citing relevant Illinois case law, why the need for public disclosure outweighs the reasons it was denied, and make the request more narrow in scope. It would make sense that a higher authority would have to grant or deny the request, but what is considered exempt under the public records law is pretty subjective so, if the deciding authority is impartial—and this is just a suggestion, narrow it down to (1) videos and (2) the first incident report—they might agree and release something.

 

[squareandrabbet]

I think it's a worthwhile venture but I also think your request is too broad. 'All' would mean they'd need a retainer just to see how much it was going to cost to find, review, redact, which if this case has 50,000 + pages, videos, audio—it be astronomically pricey.

They'll never release the harrowing 911 call but appeal like it says citing relevant Illinois case law, why the need for public disclosure outweighs the reasons it was denied, and make the request more narrow in scope. It would make sense that a higher authority would have to grant or deny the request, but what is considered exempt under the public records law is pretty subjective so, if the deciding authority is impartial—and this is just a suggestion, narrow it down to (1) videos and (2) the first incident report—they might agree and release *something.*

I agree, I've also heard more than one true crime podcast and podcaster say that the sticking point for them (on other records requests) was asking for the 911 call.

 

[jbirner]

The TP police have put us (the public) on a need-to-know basis for the last 18 years. They ask us for our help but do not provide us with anything to go on but a sketch that may be right and a snippet from a 911 call with a muffled voice. Why not give us a little more to go on. Are they afraid this case might be solved? 18 years now what do we have to lose?

 

[Danaya]

The TP police have put us (the public) on a need-to-know basis for the last 18 years. They ask us for our help but do not provide us with anything to go on but a sketch that may be right and a snippet from a 911 call with a muffled voice. Why not give us a little more to go on. Are they afraid this case might be solved? 18 years now what do we have to lose?

Personally, I think it might be because their main suspect is deceased.

 

[lareportera]

I'm still of the opinion that we can't focus on the evidence if we don't know if the evidence is even accurate or real. Also no she's not part of the documentary. Another point that people repeat without proof, that the survivor was shot but survived, I've read that she wasn't even shot, the bullet totally missed them. What are the chances? Also no I dont trust that the Tinley Department would have thoroughly vetted her, they're incompetent at minimum. I also wouldn't be surprised if they've even lost contact with her. Also for those that think he's dead or was that bank robber, not inclined to believe that. Also the call was not as long as people believe, the officer was on the scene within a minute of the time that she places the call, so the officer misses this suspect by seconds.. yet no one is seen in the area matching that description, no one in the entire area recalls seeing this man, no one comes forward saying they know someone who wears their hair like that.

 

[333_OnlyHalfEvil]

I'm still of the opinion that we can't focus on the evidence if we don't know if the evidence is even accurate or real. Also no she's not part of the documentary. Another point that people repeat without proof, that the survivor was shot but survived, I've read that she wasn't even shot, the bullet totally missed them. What are the chances? Also no I dont trust that the Tinley Department would have thoroughly vetted her, they're incompetent at minimum. I also wouldn't be surprised if they've even lost contact with her. Also for those that think he's dead or was that bank robber, not inclined to believe that. Also the call was not as long as people believe, the officer was on the scene within a minute of the time that she places the call, so the officer misses this suspect by seconds.. yet no one is seen in the area matching that description, no one in the entire area recalls seeing this man, no one comes forward saying they know someone who wears their hair like that.

What do we know about the crime based on evidence only, leaving her recollection of the event out of it?

The time he entered the store 10:08

That he was was a black male (based on his voice caught of the 911 call) posing as a delivery person

A call was made to a nearby store about the "delivery"

The time the 911 call was made

The fact that a gun was used, specifically a .40 Glock

The number of victims, how they died, and where exactly they were killed

The time the perp were gone by

The weather was below freezing all day

Anything else we know for sure?

 

[Via Marple]

What do we know about the crime based on evidence only, leaving her recollection of the event out of it?

The time he entered the store 10:08

That he was was a black male (based on his voice caught of the 911 call) posing as a delivery person

A call was made to a nearby store about the "delivery"

The time the 911 call was made

The fact that a gun was used, specifically a .40 Glock

The number of victims, how they died, and where exactly they were killed

The time the perp were gone by

The weather was below freezing all day

Anything else we know for sure?

How about requesting the record of the interview(s) with the survivor? With more details one can better assess if she is trustworthy.

 

[jbirner]

What do we know about the crime based on evidence only, leaving her recollection of the event out of it?

The time he entered the store 10:08

That he was was a black male (based on his voice caught of the 911 call) posing as a delivery person

A call was made to a nearby store about the "delivery"

The time the 911 call was made

The fact that a gun was used, specifically a .40 Glock

The number of victims, how they died, and where exactly they were killed

The time the perp were gone by

The weather was below freezing all day

Anything else we know for sure?

We know there were shell casings left behind. There was no CCTV footage from inside the store or on the walkway outside the store. We know CCTV footage from Target caught 2 vehicles pulling up to the LB store at approximately 10:39 and both left abruptly around the time of 911 call.

 

[333_OnlyHalfEvil]

I also feel pretty confident inferring these as well: they were hobbled in some way, or at least one of them would have taken the chance to leave by the back door they were very near to in the break room.

And that there were bloody footprints left behind by the perp, since they checked the shoes of a random man in the parking lot for blood. Which makes me wonder: did he shoot them all at once, or was at least one of them already dead before the 911 call? If he stood in one spot and shot them in a row, then immediately left, would they have bled that much in a few seconds? I know it was a decently small room, does anyone know the measurements of it? Was there furniture in it?

I also feel pretty comfortable thinking he was probably the only perp inside the store, but I have nothing to really base that on except only one voice heard in the background of the 911 call, and the fact the cops immediately searched a solo black male they found in the parking lot. Could be wrong about that though.

 

[jbirner]

I'm pretty confident that the driver of the vehicle that parked in front of the store either went in the store or called the shooter from the car, perhaps to tell him there was a cop in the parking lot and they needed to get out quickly. I believe that one of the victims were seriously injured due to fighting with him and that was why RM called 911. I don't think she would have risked being caught calling 911 if there wasn't an urgent reason or she felt there was nothing to lose at that point.

 

[lareportera]

The sister of a person who worked at the store said that her sister was asked to take off that day ny Rhonda. Interesting we never heard of this person. We always knew and have seen the interview with the other employees, one whos son was at the hospital which is why she was unable to be there.

From the sister: "Rhoda told my sister to take the day off the previous night as they were closing together. "

 

[dotr]

Why did the perp have to shoot them?
In robberies, people who may be able to recognize the perp are killed, but as far as we know, the creep was not known to the victims, or was he?
speculation, imo.

New 3D Image Of Lane Bryant Suspect Released By Tinley Police

One day before the tragedy's 10-year anniversary, Tinley police shared a new image of the man suspected of slaying women at Lane Bryant.

patch.com

 

[mothwings]

I'm still of the opinion that we can't focus on the evidence if we don't know if the evidence is even accurate or real. Also no she's not part of the documentary. Another point that people repeat without proof, that the survivor was shot but survived, I've read that she wasn't even shot, the bullet totally missed them. What are the chances? Also no I dont trust that the Tinley Department would have thoroughly vetted her, they're incompetent at minimum. I also wouldn't be surprised if they've even lost contact with her. Also for those that think he's dead or was that bank robber, not inclined to believe that. Also the call was not as long as people believe, the officer was on the scene within a minute of the time that she places the call, so the officer misses this suspect by seconds.. yet no one is seen in the area matching that description, no one in the entire area recalls seeing this man, no one comes forward saying they know someone who wears their hair like that.

 

[lareportera]

wow this is a great find! Thank you for posting. Incredible that a bullet would go through her neck, even if missing vital signs and she would be out of the hospital so soon. I think thats what made it seem like it was more of a graze, but the article says it went through her neck. I don't know what to believe.

 

[lareportera]

Also this is the first time I have seen where the victim is essentially identified by name. With just typing the names of her parents and her name, you can even see where she lives. I would seriously love to hear from this woman, also makes me less likely to believe she was involved. It's just so much she could say and stay completely annonymous that could help solve the case. Wouldnt she want that? she was a victim too, let's solve it!

 

[phi1ip]

Also this is the first time I have seen where the victim is essentially identified by name. With just typing the names of her parents and her name, you can even see where she lives. I would seriously love to hear from this woman, also makes me less likely to believe she was involved. It's just so much she could say and stay completely annonymous that could help solve the case. Wouldnt she want that? she was a victim too, let's solve it!

I mean, I have to imagine she still bears a lot of trauma from this crime. And yes, there is a possibility the perp is dead or locked up for another crime, but it's also equally possible that he is still out there. I can't imagine the fear of knowing that the person who almost killed you, who DID kill five other women, is still out there, and police seem no closer to solving this crime than they were nearly 20 years ago. Add in the fact that, as you say, her information is available online with not much digging, and I would be hesitant to put myself out there.

 

[outback]

Not trying to ruffle feathers here, but the survivor is a victim too. Websleuths is suppose to be a victim friendly site. I'm not sure why people are investigating her tbh.

Jmo

 

[jbirner]

Not trying to ruffle feathers here, but the survivor is a victim too. Websleuths is suppose to be a victim friendly site. I'm not sure why people are investigating her tbh.

Jmo

I think we're just looking for some light to be shed on this case. It is 18 years old now and no resolution in sight. She could provide some info that could help solve the case. The information we received has aged alot and it is time for some fresh information, maybe some details we haven't heard before that would help solve the case. I am a little more hopeful today after Austin Yogurt was solved that this case can be solved too.