Cellphone-Talking Bank Robber In Custody: Brookfield Police

BROOKFIELD, WI — A woman suspected of robbing two banks in three days while she talked on her cellphone is in custody, police said Tuesday. The BMO Harris Bank in Brookfield was robbed Saturday, and the Tri City Bank in Hales Corner was robbed Monday by a woman whose behavior was called puzzling by one customer who was there, according to multiple media reports.

Undisclosed amounts of cash were taken in both robberies after the woman reportedly passed notes to tellers that indicated she had a weapon, TMJ-TV reported.

In both robberies, the suspect wore a pink hoodie and didn’t cover her face. Images captured by bank security cameras were widely circulated, WDJT-TV reported. That helped police track her down, according to the report.

Bob Brabham, a BMO Harris Bank customer, told WITI-TV it seemed odd to him that the woman never put down her cellphone.

“I think it’s becoming more typical these days,” he said. “People on their cellphones at all times, regardless of what they're doing. Quite frankly, it doesn't surprise me. It does puzzle me.”

The suspect was booked at the Waukesha County Jail and is expected to make an initial court appearance on Wednesday.

Photo via Brookfield police