Crime & Safety

UPDATED: Female Bank Robber Dubbed 'Plain Jane' Bandit Strikes Nearby Communities

On Tuesday, July 24 she held up U.S. Bank in nearby Buena Park and U.S. Bank in Wildomar. Authorities have released surveillance photos of the suspect in an effort to identify her.

Editor's Note: Updated with information on second bank she robbed Tuesday afternoon.

The FBI and law enforcement officers in nearby Buena Park, Whittier, Moreno Valley and Wildomar are asking for the public's help in identifying the “Plain Jane” Bandit -- a female bank robber, who has hit up six Southland banks in less than two weeks, including four since Monday.

The most recent robbery occurred Tuesday, July 24 at U.S. Bank located at 23893 Clinton Keith Road in Wildomar at about 5:20 p.m. Several hours before that, she hit the U.S. Bank located at 5470 Beach Blvd. in the city of Buena Park. Prior to that late she was linked to two holdups in Moreno Valley on Monday, July 23, according to an FBI statement.  

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The suspect has been linked to all of the following robberies:

  • 7/12/12: U.S. Bank, 13372 E. Telegraph Rd. in Santa Fe Springs
  • 7/19/12: U.S. Bank, 13525 Whitter Blvd. in Whittier
  • 7/23/12: Chase, 14425 Moreno Beach Blvd. in Moreno Valley
  • 7/23/12: U.S. Bank, 12721 Moreno Beach Blvd. in Moreno Valley
  • 7/24/12: U.S. Bank, 5470 Beach Blvd. in Buena Park
  • 7/24/12: U.S. Bank, 23893 Clinton Keith Road in Wildomar

During the holdups, the suspect uses written and verbal demands and indicates that someone, possibly an accomplice, is waiting for her outside the bank, according to the FBI.

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Suspect Described as a "Plain Jane"

Witnesses have described the suspect as a Hispanic female, 5'3" to 5'5" tall, 150 to 170 lbs. She appears to be between 35 to 40 years old and is possibly driving a four-door silver vehicle with a sunroof, according to authorities. (See Patch image carousel for surveillance photos of the suspect during the bank robberies.)

During an interview with a witness in one of the earlier robberies, the suspect’s appearance was described as that of a “plain jane.”  Further, witnesses have seen a possible scar below or next to her right eye, as well as a possible tattoo on her right shoulder area.

Anyone with information about the identity or whereabouts of the suspect is urged to contact their nearest FBI office (Los Angeles Division, (310) 477-6565) or dial 911. 

This investigation is being conducted by detectives and officers with the Whittier Police Department, Moreno Valley Police Department, Buena Park Police Department, and agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation


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