‘Plain Jane Bandit’ Believed Caught After Eight Heists
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ABC News(LOS ANGELES) — The “Plain Jane Bandit,” who is believed to be responsible for eight bank heists or attempted bank robberies in Southern California, has been arrested, officials said.
Sylvia Helen Garcia, 38, was captured near her home in Downey, Calif., late Thursday, according to ABC News’ Los Angeles affiliate KABC.
The Plain Jane Bandit has been linked to six bank robberies and two attempted bank robberies around Southern California since July 12. The most recent attempt by the Plain Jane Bandit was on Tuesday, but she left before getting any money. In all eight instances, she used both written and verbal demands and told the bank teller that an accomplice was waiting outside, the FBI said.
Authorities did not say how much money was stolen, but witnesses described the robber as a Hispanic woman in her mid-30s, between 5-foot-3 and 5-foot-5 and weighing 150 to 170 pounds. She did not wear a disguise.
The nickname came from a witness’ description of the robber as a “plain Jane.”
The robber was linked to a silver four-door vehicle, though the alleged accomplice had not been seen.
U.S. Bank, which had five branches robbed, had offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the robber’s arrest and conviction.
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