'Plain Jane Bandit' linked to five SoCal robberies strikes again
Federal authorities are looking for the so-called "Plain Jane Bandit" believed responsible for five bank robberies and two attempts this month in Southern California.
Most recently, the unidentified woman attempted to rob a Bank of America about 2:15 p.m. Monday in the 10000 block of Paramount Boulevard in Downey, officials said.
She walked into the bank and demanded money, but left before taking any, FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said.
Similar to her previous robberies, the woman spoke of a person outside the bank, officials said. Authorities believe the other suspect is a ruse because no witnesses have reported seeing an accomplice.
Monday's incident was the second attempted robbery the Plain Jane Bandit has been linked to.
She also is believed responsible for a series of five robberies that began July 12 in Santa Fe Springs and continued to Whittier, Moreno Valley, Buena Park and Wildomar, Eimiller added.
Witnesses have described the woman to authorities as a Latina, 35 to 40 years old, possibly driving a four-door silver vehicle. Other witnesses have reported a possible scar near her right eye and a tattoo on her right shoulder area, officials said.
U.S. Bank has offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the robber. All of the actual robberies were at U.S. Bank branches.
Authorities declined to say how much money she took because of concerns about copycat robberies, but they said the sum was not "a lot."
Based on her history, it "would not be a surprise if she robbed soon," Eimiller said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the nearest FBI office or 911.
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-- Melissa Leu
Photo: Surveillance image of the "Plain Jane Bandit." Credit: KTLA-TV.
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