West Hollywood 'Purse Packing Bandit' Pleads to Series of Bank Robberies

A 47-year-old woman dubbed the “Purse Packing Bandit” pleaded no contest today -- in the midst of trial -- to felony charges stemming from robberies at nine banks in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles and West Hollywood.

Brianna Kloutse entered her plea -- she also admitted two attempted robbery counts -- after 11 bank tellers testified and just as prosecutors rested their case.

She faces 14 years and four months in prison and is set to be sentenced June 30.

Prosecutors said Kloutse often wore a wig and showed a gun or indicated to tellers that she had a weapon in her purse when demanding cash.

Kloutse was arrested last Aug. 22 by Beverly Hills police as she fled following a bank robbery in the 8400 block of Wilshire Boulevard.

Police theorized the serial robber probably worked with a man who distracted bank employees during the heists.

On the day of Kloutse’s arrest, officers held a television/movie producer for about six hours on suspicion of being her accomplice. When detectives reviewed surveillance video, the man was released and the Beverly Hills Police Department issued a public apology.

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