The burqa bandit is back, or maybe she never left.
Either way, federal investigators are now blaming seven recent Northeast Philadelphia bank robberies on the same woman who typically dons traditional Islamic clothing before striking.
The local office of the FBI and its Philadelphia police partners first publicized the crime pattern on July 13 when they announced four similar heists. Since then, they have tied one earlier hold-up and two new ones to the same doer.
Most recently, the woman attempted to rob the Citizens Bank inside Pathmark at 2201 Cottman Ave. on July 17. One day earlier, she succeeded in robbing the Citizens Bank inside ShopRite at 11000 Roosevelt Blvd.
The crime spree began on June 9 at Santander Bank, 9856 Bustleton Ave., and continued on June 16 at PNC Bank, 12300 Academy Road; July 6 at TD Bank, 9996 Haldeman Ave.; July 7 at Citizens Bank, 3200 Red Lion Road; and July 9 at Citizens Bank, 10650 Bustleton Ave.
Authorities have described the robber as a black woman, about 5 feet 6 inches tall, wearing all black loose clothing including a headdress and veil covering most of her face. Visit the Philadelphia Police channel on YouTube to view surveillance video. Call 215–418–4000 to report information. ••
