Hunt still on for brazen 'Grandma Bandit'

 

BPEGGY O'HARE
HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Sept. 25, 2009, 9:23PM

FBI via KHOU-Channel 11

 

FBI via KHOU-Channel 11

Image from a surveillance camera shows a bank robber authorities have dubbed the "Grandma Bandit." She struck two Compass Bank branches in Houston on Friday.

Image from a surveillance camera shows a bank robber authorities have dubbed the "Grandma Bandit." She struck two Compass Bank branches in Houston on Friday.

She does not fit the profile of the typical bank robber.

But whoever she is, she is every bit as bold and brazen as the men who carry out such crimes — perhaps even more so. She struck two Houston banks less than 4 miles apart in an hour's time Friday and was brazen enough not to cover her face.

FBI agents have nicknamed her the “Grandma Bandit.” From high-quality surveillance camera photos, she appears to be between 55 and 65. She had shoulder-length gray hair and wore eyeglasses.

Her forays into two different Compass Bank buildings Friday afternoon proved fruitful. After accosting tellers in both banks, she walked out with an undisclosed amount of cash. No one was injured.

While some bank robbers in the past have made excuses for their actions, saying they had medical bills or were out of work while parenting young children, this woman gave no explanation for her actions. She was seen driving a white sport utility vehicle.

“We are seeing more women engage in this type of criminal activity across the country, but it's still a very small percentage,” said FBI Special Agent Shauna Dunlap with the agency's Houston office. “Obviously, from her picture, she is an older woman — that's very unusual.

“No matter what your situation is or how old you are or how young you are, it doesn't give you the right to break the law.”

Her first robbery occurred at 12:40 p.m. Friday when she walked into the Compass Bank at 1217 West 43rd. She claimed to have a gun and demanded money.

She is believed to have struck again an hour later at another Compass Bank at 204 West 19th. Repeating her earlier strategy, she again walked away with money.

She is about 5 feet 2 to 5 feet 7 inches tall with a large build. She wore a camouflage cap, a bright purple shirt decorated with purple feathers on the front and blue jean shorts.