Idaho Registered Nurse Dubbed the Bad Hair Bandit Arraigned in Federal Court for Bank Robbery

SACRAMENTO, CA—Cynthia Lynn Van Holland, 48, a transient from the states of Idaho and Washington, was arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kendall J. Newman for 21 counts of bank robbery, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced. Van Holland pleaded not guilty at today’s arraignment; her next court date is scheduled for July 25, 2012 before U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller. She remains in custody.

“This investigation and prosecution underscores the FBI’s commitment to working interstate violent crimes in a highly professional and coordinated effort. The many state and federal law enforcement agencies that collaborated in this investigation are to be commended,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Herbert M. Brown.

“I want to commend the rapid response and diligence of the Placer County Sheriff’s Department, following the Auburn robbery, for their work in quickly locating and arresting this pair of bank robbers and putting an end to their crime spree,” said Placer County District Attorney Ronald Scott Owens.

According to court documents, Van Holland committed robberies in four different states and five different federal districts. During the early stages of the investigation, the Seattle Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation dubbed the perpetrator the “Bad Hair Bandit” because she used a series of unusual wigs and disguises in executing her bank robberies. The 21 counts are as follows:

Eastern District of California

June 28, 2011: East West Bank at 4790 Freeport Blvd in Sacramento, $671

June, 28, 2011: U.S. Bank at 304 F Street in Davis, $1,967

August 15, 2011: Bank of the West at 13422 Lincoln Way in Auburn, $8,722

Eastern District of Washington

April 26, 2011: Wheatland Bank at 205 South Main St in Ellensburg, $714

April 27, 2011: Key Bank at 314 East 3rd Avenue in Moses Lake, $2,938

May 9: 2011: Chase Bank at 822 West Francis in Spokane, $1,920

June 7, 2011: Sterling Bank, at 101 East 4th Avenue in Moses Lake, $6,384

July 18, 2011: Yakima Federal Bank at 1007 Jadwin Avenue in Richland, $3,152

Western District of Washington

December 22, 2010: U.S. Bank at 870 South 38th St. in Tacoma, $2,072

January 5, 2011: Key Bank at 5400 Capitol Boulevard in Tumwater, $1,285

January 12, 2011: Key Bank at 3501 South 19th St. in Tacoma, $1,214

January 14, 2011: Wells Fargo Bank at 15004 Pacific Ave South in Spanaway, $1,050

January 26, 2011” Cathay Bank at 18030 E. Valley Highway in Kent, $0

January 27, 2011: First Security Bank at 14808 NE 24th Street in Redmond, $441

February 10, 2011: U.S. Bank at 401 15th Street NE in Auburn, $965

February 19, 2011: Wells Fargo Bank at 2615 Bridgeport Way W. in University Place, $619

March 25, 2011: Sound Community Bank at 2941 S. 38th Street in Tacoma, $1,960

April 9, 2011: Wells Fargo Bank at 2615 Bridgeport Way West in University Place, $440

April 21, 2011: Cathay Bank at 13238 NE 20th St #200 in Bellevue, $2,330

District of Oregon

July 1, 2011: Key Bank at 256 A Avenue in Lake Oswego, $1,600

District of Montana

August 11, 2011: Bank of Butte at 3525 Harrison Avenue in Butte, $1,600

This case is the product of an investigation by the Sacramento Violent Crimes Task Force, which includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. In addition, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office assisted in apprehending Van Holland. Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Rodriguez is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Van Holland is facing up to 20 years in federal prison for each count of bank robbery. Any actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables and any applicable statutory sentencing factors.

The charges are only accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.