Central Coast Bandit Still at Large

SACRAMENTO, CA—A white or Hispanic, middle-aged woman who has robbed six banks in coastal and central California remains at large and the public’s help is needed to identify her. The 5’5”-5’6” tall, 150-160 pound Central Coast Bandit cheerfully enters the banks in an ever-changing assortment of hats, handbags, and non-descript T-shirts, looking like an average woman going about running some errands, but she soon presents tellers with note that contains a demand for money. The suspect also reinforces her demand with a threat of harm to everyone present in the bank.

During her first robbery on December 31, 2012, the Central Coast Bandit displayed a handgun to the teller. In subsequent robberies, she has not displayed the handgun, but the Central Coast Bandit should be considered armed and dangerous.

Locally, on Thursday, July 18, 2013, just before 5 p.m., the Central Coast Bandit entered the Farmers and Merchants bank located at 1700 McHenry Avenue in Modesto, California, and presented a demand note to the teller. After receiving money, she fled the bank.

The same suspect has also attempted or committed the following robberies:

• Monterey Credit Union in Pacific Grove (Monterey County) on December 31, 2012
• Chase Bank in Atascadero (San Luis Obispo County) on February 14, 2013
• Pacific Western Bank in Atascadero (San Luis Obispo County) on February 14, 2013
• Coast Hills Federal Credit Union in Nipomo (San Luis Obispo County) on June 27, 2013
• Golden 1 Credit Union in Paso Robles (San Luis Obispo County) on July 16, 2013
• Farmers and Merchants Bank in Modesto (Stanislaus County) on July 18, 2013
• Pacific Western Bank in Pismo Beach (San Luis Obispo County) on August 14, 2013

Due to the distance between the San Louis Obispo County and the more northern counties of Monterey and Stanislaus, the suspect may reside or frequently visit several counties in central California and along the California coast. Anyone with information about the identity and location of the Central Coast Bandit is urged to submit a tip at https://tips.fbi.gov or contact their local FBI field office. The Sacramento Field Office can be reached by calling (916) 481-9110, and the Los Angeles Field Office can be reached by calling (310) 477-6565.