FBI, Police Seeking 'Freedom Fighter Bandit'

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — A female bank robber who authorities say claims to be stealing in the name of a social cause has hit at least four metro Atlanta banks in recent days.

Dubbed the "Freedom Fighter Bandit," the woman dresses in a black coat, black wool cap, black sunglasses, black gloves and black boots. She and a male accomplice have targeted banks from Gwinnett County to Douglasville since last week.

FBI Special Agent Stephen Emmett told Fox 5 Atlanta that the woman has made comments about robbing the banks in the name of a social cause, though it's not clear what cause, if any, it truly is.

"That's a good question," Emmett said to the station. "We'll be asking her when we have her in custody."

On Friday at about 10:30 a.m., the woman walked into Georgia's Own Credit Union at 2437 Loganville Highway, in Grayson, and announced a robbery with a demand note. After getting an undisclosed amount of money, she left.

A little over two hours later, the same woman and a man entered the Bank of the Ozarks, at 9001 Hospital Dr. in Douglasville. They both walked up to the teller counter and said they had a bomb they would detonate if they weren't given money, according to the FBI.

After getting an undisclosed amount of money, they left.

Friday's robberies followed a similar pattern to ones reported last Monday.

At about 10 a.m. that day, the woman went into the Wells Fargo bank at 6063 Memorial Dr. in Stone Mountain. She showed a demand note on her cellphone but, when she was denied money, she left the bank without doing anything else.

About an hour later, she walked into Associated Credit Union, at 5032 Old Grant Rd. in Ellenwood and, again, demanded money with a note. Authorities say she threatened to have an explosive advice this time, as well.

She was given an undisclosed amount of money and left.

The FBI says a vehicle associated with the robberies was recovered late Thursday night in DaKalb County. It had previously been reported stolen to Stone Mountain Police.

The "Freedom Fighter Bandit" is described as a black female, in her late 20s to mid-30s, standing about 5'7". She has a slender build and long, black hair and, in addition to her all-black outfit was seen carrying a dark-colored messenger bag.

Her accomplice is described as a black male who was wearing a sweatshirt with AMSC Trailblazers printed on the front.

Anyone with information on the crimes is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477.

Photos courtesy Douglas County Sheriff's Office