Sep 30, 2009 4:38 pm US/Pacific
Wanted: Grandma Bandit
(FBI)
Wanted by FBI, Los Angeles Division:
The FBI is seeking information leading to the identity of an elderly female believed to be responsible for robbing the same bank branch in Chino, California, in January and November of 2008. During the robberies, the woman indicated she was being victimized in some way by other individuals. During the January robbery, the Grandma Bandit lifted her shirt to reveal a metal object with wires attached. She also presented a note that read, "Please help this lady, she is strapped." The woman proceeded to rob the bank while asking the teller to help her. The bandit walked out of the bank and was seen getting into the driver's side of a white SUV. During the second robbery, the bandit again presented a note. She was described by witnesses as wearing a blonde wig. The bandit made statements indicating she was under some sort of duress. The unidentified female in the bank surveillance photos was nicknamed the "Grandma Bandit," after witnesses described the robber as an elderly woman. The bank, a Bank of America branch located at 12747 Central Avenue in Chino, was robbed on January 14, 2008, and November 14, 2008.
After these two robberies, agents had not ruled out the possibility that the woman was, in fact, a victim; however, it is now believed that the woman may have used the ruse as a tactic to elicit sympathy from tellers in order to avoid a police response. This became more clear when the Grandma Bandit was linked to two additional bank robberies in which she did not use the victim scenario, but simulated a weapon when she demanded cash from the victim tellers. The subsequent robberies both occurred on December 15th, 2008; the first, at a Citibank in the City of Cerritos, and the second, a Bank of America in Hacienda Heights.
During the third robbery on 12/15/08 in Cerritos, the Grandma Bandit wore a dark hooded sweatshirt, what appeared to be a black wig and sunglasses, which she removed when dealing with the victim teller. During the fourth robbery on 12/15/08, the bandit appeared to change her appearance slightly. She wore a the same dark hooded sweatshirt, however, during the second robbery, she pulled over her head. She also wore the same dark wig, however changed her sunglasses to reading glasses. On 12/15/08, the Grandma Bandit threatened a weapon by pointing something underneath her sweatshirt while demanding cash. The bandit was described by witnesses as and elderly woman, possibly of Middle Eastern or Hispanic decent, 60 years old, between 5'5" and 5'6", with a thin build and prescription glasses.
Anyone with information as to the whereabouts or identity of the Grandma Bandit is urged to contact the FBI.
The FBI in Los Angeles can be reached 24 hours a day at 310.477.6565 or 1.888.CANT.HIDE (1 888.226.8443)
During business hours, the FBI's Riverside office can be reached by calling 951.686.0335.
(Information provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation)
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