What happens when the subject of your news report calls you directly? In this episode of "This One Time in Kankakee," host Jake LaMore sits down with veteran Kankakee radio news director Rob West (WVLI, WFAV, River Country) for a story that blurs the line between journalism and a real-life crisis negotiation.
In 2008, after reporting on a bank robbery in Bourbonnais, IL, Rob received a shocking call on his personal cell phone. On the other end was the robber himself, who wanted to tell his side of the story because he trusted Rob from listening to his newscasts. This single phone call triggered a tense, multi-day saga involving the Bourbonnais Police Department, a manhunt, and a dramatic, high-speed conclusion on Route 50.
Join us for a gripping Kankakee County true crime story that explores the unique bond between a local radio personality and his audience, the ethical tightrope of a journalist caught in the middle of a crime, and the desperate actions of a man on the edge.
In this episode, you'll hear about:
- The 2008 robbery of the Centrue Bank in Bourbonnais.
- A local news director's direct phone conversations with an active bank robber.
- The collaboration with Bourbonnais Police to identify and locate the suspect.
- The profound trust and connection inherent in local radio.
- The dangerous and dramatic conclusion to the manhunt at the O'Zinga Brothers quarry.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:52 - Meet Rob West: A Career in Kankakee Radio
02:04 - The 2008 Bourbonnais Centrue Bank Robbery
02:51 - "Hi, I'm the bank robber." - The First Call
04:42 - A Journalist's Dilemma: Involving the Police
06:25 - The Manhunt & Learning the Robber's Name
07:34 - A Warning from the Police Chief
08:57 - The Final Call & The Chase on Route 50
10:58 - The Aftermath: Justice for Rick James Pierce
11:47 - The Unique Power of Radio and Audience Trust
Want more from the WVLI Podcast Network? Listen to the WVLI News Update with Rob West every weekday morning! Get the days local news from the greater Kankakee County, IL area in 10 minutes or less.
Subscribe now on your preferred podcast platform: https://wvlinewsupdate.buzzsprout.com
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