Crime & Safety

Cerritos Bank Robber aka 'Plain Jane' Bandit to be Sentenced Today

Sylvia Helen Garcia, 38, of Compton pleaded guilty to robbing banks in Cerritos and Whittier.

The "Plain Jane Bandit" who pleaded guilty to robbing banks in Cerritos and Whittier last year will be sentenced today.

Sylvia Helen Garcia, 38, of Compton was arrested by authorities in Downey on Aug. 2, 2012 in connection with a series of Southland bank heists she was accused of committing over the span of three weeks.

Garcia pleaded guilty to two bank robberies, including a holdup at Chase bank in Cerritos on Tuesday, July 31. Three other robbery charges and one attempted robbery charge are expected to be dismissed.

Find out what's happening in Cerritos-Artesiawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

She was dubbed "Plain Jane," because of descriptions provided by witnesses, either slips a teller a note or verbally commands the employee to give her money, claiming she has an accomplice waiting for her.

Garcia's sentencing hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Monday, March 18.

Find out what's happening in Cerritos-Artesiawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

- City News Service contributed to this report.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Cerritos-Artesia