Police Search for Female Bank Bandit

FAIRFAX, Va. - A female bank bandit is striking banks throughout Fairfax County. The most recent crime happened on Tuesday.

Fairfax Police believe the woman is behind three bank robberies in the area, all that have happened in recent weeks.

The woman, seen on surveillance tape in one bank and then leaving another bank, is believed to be behind three bank robberies in Fairfax in less than two weeks. People FOX 5 spoke to were shocked by the string of robberies, but even more so that it's a woman.

"Oh my god, that's shocking-- you never expect a female to do that," one person said.

"It's just the time we are living in," said another. "It's unbelievable."

The woman in the surveillance tape hit a BB&T Bank as recently as Tuesday afternoon.

In each robbery, the woman wears dark clothes, a scarf to hide her face, and sunglasses. She approaches the teller the same way each time.

"She goes in and implies a weapon with a note. Then the robbery takes place," says Fairfax County Police Spokesperson Lucy Caldwell.

She is an African-American woman who is heavy set, 5'4" tall and between 160 to 170 pounds. Besides the BB&T Bank, she's believed to be behind a bank robbery that took place on March 2 at Northwest Federal Credit Union, and Apple Federal Credit Union on February 26.

Fairfax Police say it is unusual to have a female bank robber.

"We don't see a lot of women bank robbers. It happens. We do see them, and it does raise interest sometimes," says Caldwell.

Fairfax County Police say they are working with officers in each of their stations so they know what to keep their eyes open for.

"We have seen an uptick in bank robberies over the last couple of months in Fairfax and across the region. So certainly we are taking a look at it," says Caldwell.

In all the cases, no one was injured. The FBI is assisting with the investigation.