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FBI announces "Biddy Bandit" arrested for three bank robberies

KNXV Biddy Bandit Elizabeth Ainslie.jpg
Posted at 2:28 PM, Mar 14, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-14 20:11:24-04

PHOENIX — The Federal Bureau of Investigation says it has arrested a woman in connection with three bank robberies last year and the attempted robbery of two others.

The FBI says 56-year-old Elizabeth Ainslie was arrested without incident on Tuesday for robbing banks in Phoenix, Mesa, and Tempe.

Investigators say Ainslie robbed the Chase Bank near 27th and Peoria avenues on August 4, 2018, and returned to that bank on November 24. The FBI says she also robbed the Chase Bank near 43rd Avenue and Thunderbird Road on December 18. She also entered two banks, the Wells Fargo near Gilbert and Baseline roads in Mesa on September 10 and the Chase Bank near Rural and Baseline roads on November 14, but in both instances did not receive any money and walked out.

No one was injured during any of the robberies or attempted robberies, the FBI said.

Agents were able to connect Ainslie to the crimes because of an anonymous tip, according to a news release.