'Starlet bandit' hits two more banks in area.

Byline: C.J. Lin Staff Writer

CRIME: Woman with sunglasses is believed responsible for 10 heists.

The "Starlet Bandit" struck two more San Fernando Valley banks on Thursday, bringing to 10 the number of heists credited to the female robber, officials said.

The suspect hit the North Hills branch of Chase Bank at 9:32 a.m., handing a teller a note reading "Give me all you have, no dye packs," FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said. Although she did not show a weapon, the suspect threatened to harm customers if the teller did not comply with the demands.

At 10:47 a.m., Eimiller said, the same woman handed a note to a teller at a Citibank in Woodland Hills. It read: "Put all the money from your drawer in the bag, no dye packs. Do not step away from the counter or I will harm customers. Thanks."

The woman was described as "chunky" or "chubby," in her late 20s or early 30s, with a light complexion and blond hair worn in a toustled bun. She was also described as having a red ponytail with blond highlights.

In surveillance footage released by Citibank, she was seen wearing her signature large black sunglasses, along with an Ecko Unlimited brand T-shirt under a zippered hooded sweatshirt. She was carrying a cell phone and black purse.

Witnesses in previous robberies described the robber as a white woman, 5 feet 6 to 5 feet 7 inches tall and 140 to 170 pounds in weight, according to the FBI.

The Starlet Bandit is suspected in Tuesday's robbery of a Citibank in Granada Hills, where a teller was handed a note that read similarly to other robberies.

The Starlet Bandit is now believed to be responsible for 10 robberies including banks in Van Nuys, Hollywood, Mission Hills and Palmdale. Of that number, eight occurred in the last 10 days.

She was seen wearing the black sunglasses, baseball cap, beige hooded sweater and jeans, and was carrying a handbag and a cell phone with glitter or jewels on it.

She left the banks in a white Toyota Avalon with an unidentified male driver, according to the FBI.

The FBI does not release amounts stolen in bank robberies, Eimiller said.

Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of the Starlet Bandit is urged to contact the FBI at 310-477-6565 or the LAPD at 1-877-LAPD-247.

Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or texting 274637. Tips leading to an arrest can earn up to $1,000.

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CAPTION(S):

The woman called the "Starlet Bandit" by authorities is wearing hersunglasses in this photo taken Thursday at a Citibank in Woodland Hills.