Police think Tumwater, Pierce robberies linked

A woman suspected of robbing four South Sound-area banks is suspected of striking again Saturday in University Place.

The latest robbery took place at 12:50 p.m. Saturday at Wells Fargo Bank, 2615 Bridgeport Way West, Pierce County Sheriff's Department spokesman Ed Troyer said.

The robber’s description matched that of the woman believed to have robbed four other banks since Dec. 22, Troyer said. The robber is believed to be in her 30s or 40s and about 5 feet, 5 inches with a medium to heavy build.

As in previous robberies, the woman gave a teller a note saying she was armed and wanted money, Troyer said. She fled on foot in an unknown direction with an undisclosed amount of money, he said. A teller recognized the woman from her photo from previous robberies, Troyer said.

Saturday’s robbery is believed to be the woman’s first since Jan. 14. A woman with the same description was suspected then of robbing the Wells Fargo in the 15000 block of Pacific Avenue South in Spanaway, Pierce County sheriff’s deputies reported. The woman is suspected of robbing three bank branches earlier in Tacoma and Tumwater.

Tacoma-Pierce Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the woman being arrested and charged.

Reach Crime Stoppers at 253-591-5959.