FBI looking for "Grandma Bandit"

FBI agents are requesting the public’s help in finding an elderly woman they call the “Grandma Bandit.” They say she twice robbed a Bank of America branch in Chino.

The FBI said the woman, about 60 years old, robbed the bank branch at 12747 Central Ave. on Jan. 14 and on Friday. During the January robbery, the woman lifted her shirt, showing a metal object with wires attached, and presented a note that read: “Please help this lady, she is strapped.”

Then she proceeded to rob the bank, walk out and get into the driver’s side of a white SUV, according to FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller. In the most recent robbery, the woman again presented a note. Witnesses said the woman wore a blond wig and told the teller she was under “some sort of duress,” Eimiller said. “In the first robbery and in the last robbery, she appeared to be some kind of a victim,” she said. “There was a legitimate concern that she was possibly acting at the behest of others. Now, in the most recent robbery, that theory is a little less credible. It’s been 11 months, we haven’t heard any reports of kidnapping. ... She may be using this victim tactic as a ruse to avoid law enforcement.”

The woman, who some theorize is a Chino resident, was not believed to be armed during the robberies, Eimiller said. The FBI would not release the amount of money the woman got away with. “We don’t disclose the amounts. All I can say is she successfully robbed a bank twice,” Eimiller said.

The Grandma Bandit is described by witnesses as possibly of Middle Eastern descent, about 5 feet, 5 inches tall, with a thin build and eyeglasses. Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI in Los Angeles at (310) 477-6565 or (888) CANT-HIDE.

--Tami Abdollah / tami.abdollah@latimes.com

Comments

[gary]

there is a very simple way to determine if the wires are a real bomb. step 1) have teller pull out shotgun. step 2) blow the head off the old lady. step 3) have a local electrician check for any voltage.