FBI Now Hunting 'Ponytail Bandit'

June 19, 2007— -- Low-slung ball cap. Blond ponytail. Unassuming demeanor.

Demand for cash.

The FBI is searching for a woman in her 20s who they say is responsible for a string of at least three bank robberies that began May 8 in Austin, Texas, and picked up later that month with nearly identical hits in Roseville, California, and Lynnwood, Washington.

"In each of the robberies, this unknown female has worn a baseball cap with her shoulder-length blond hair in a ponytail pulled through the opening in the back of the cap," according to an FBI press release.

The FBI has also characterized the female suspect as having a distinctive, arms-folded stance and a slouch -- both of which can be seen in surveillance footage captured at all three bank locations.

"In each of the robberies, a woman entered the bank, verbally demanded money, and then left the bank on foot," according to the FBI release.

In each instance, a note was handed to the teller demanding money. The female suspect has also donned a cap and a zipup sweatshirt in each robbery.

After the first robbery in Austin, a police spokesman, who said bank robberies were rare in the college town, suspected the woman -- who wore a University of Texas Longhorns hat -- might be responsible.

"In Austin, we're fortunate we don't see a whole lot of bank robberies," said Austin police spokesman Kevin Buchman. "And it does make it even more rare to have a female involved."

But now, FBI officials believe the same woman has moved 2,300 miles into the Pacific Northwest.

While her demands from tellers for cash have all been verbal, the Ponytail Bandit, as the FBI calls her, should be considered armed and dangerous.