“Starlet” Bandit Hits Two Banks Today, Five in the Week, Now Suspected in Seven Bank Robberies Since 2008

April 26, 2010 - The FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying an unknown female, known to law enforcement as the “Starlet Bandit,” a white female bank robber investigators believe is responsible for robbing seven banks in Los Angeles since 2008. The “Starlet Bandit approached tellers at two different banks today demanding cash. The first incident occurred at approximately 10:10 a.m. at the Chase Bank in Mission Hills, CA. The second incident occurred at approximately 12:14 p.m. at the Bank of America located in Palmdale, CA.

During today’s robberies, the bandit was wearing a beige sweater, a baseball cap, jeans and black sunglasses. In addition, the robber was seen carrying a hand bag and a cell phone with glitter/jewels on it.

In at least one robbery, a witness reported that the subject threatened she had a weapon. According to witnesses at the banks, the Starlet Bandit approaches the victim teller while talking on her cell phone. She is heard saying “I’m at the counter already” and tells the tellers “Read the note”. In the note, the bandit demands that the money in the teller’s drawers be placed in the bag. The bandit further instructs the tellers not to walk away from the counters or she would harm customers. The unidentified female has been seen leaving the bank robberies in a white Toyota Avalon with and unknown male driver.

The Starlet Bandit is further described as follows:

Gender: Female

Race: White

Age: 20-28

Height: 5’5” to 5’7”

Weight: 140 - 170 lbs

Clothing: Baseball cap, black sunglasses, beige hooded sweater and jeans

The following is a list of banks investigators believe were robbed by the Starlet Bandit:

• 03/25/2008 Bank of America 7800 W. Sunset Blvd. Hollywood

• 07/22/2008 Bank of America 7255 Woodman Ave Van Nuys

• 04/19/2010 Bank of America 7255 Woodman Ave Van Nuys

• 04/21/2010 Bank of America 7800 W. Sunset Blvd. Hollywood

• 04/21/2010 Chase Bank 10348 N. Sepulveda Mission Hills

• 04/23/2010 Bank of America 839 E Palmdale Palmdale

• 04/23/2010 Chase Bank 10348 N. Sepulveda Mission Hills

Bank surveillance photographs are being distributed to the media in order to identify the Scarlet Bandit. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of the Starlet Bandit is urged to contact the FBI or the LAPD. The FBI can be reached 24 Hours per day at 310 477-6565. Information will be afforded confidentiality.