Bad Hair Bandit Apprehended in California

Cynthia Van Holland, known around Tacoma and the FBI as the ‘Bad Hair Bandit,’ has been arrested for bank robbery, the FBI reported on Wednesday. She was arrested for a suspected 20 bank robberies across four states, notably the .

Placer Police in California arrested the 47 year-old woman and her getaway driver, 26 year-old Christopher Alonzo when the duo tried their hand at robbing a bank in Auburn, CA.

Around 2:25 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 15, a woman police believe to be Holland entered Bank of the West and passed a note to the teller, demanding money and stating that she was armed. The teller gave her an undetermined amount of money and then the woman left. Police were able to apprehend Holland and Alonzo 12 miles away from the scene after a witness recalled their vehicle and license plate number.

Van Holland is suspected of committing or attempting bank robberies throughout the Pacific Northwest, from Washington State to Oregon, Montana and California. She got her nickname for the variety of wigs she wears during the robberies.

Patch will let you know when more information becomes available.