Crime & Safety

'Bad Hair Bandit' Who Hit University Place Bank Twice Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison

Federal authorities say Cynthia Lynn Van Holland is responsible for more than 20 bank robberies in four states, including the Wells Fargo branch on Bridgeport Way.

This bandit will have bad hair behind bars.

The female bank robber federal authorities dubbed the was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison.

Cynthia Lynn Van Holland, 48, will also have to pay more than $33,000 in restitution, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Eastern California.

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, another in Tacoma, another in Spanaway, and more than 15 others across Washington, Oregon, California and Montana.

She hit the branch on Bridgeport Way West twice: once on Feb. 19, 2011 and another two months later.

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She was arrested in Placer County, Calif., in August 2011 after robbing a Bank of the West branch in Auburn, Calif.

Federal authorities in Seattle dubbed Van Holland the "Bad Hair Bandit" because she wore wigs and other unusual disguises during the crimes.

Here is a list of banks she hit in Washington:

  • December 22, 2010: U.S. Bank at 870 South 38th St. in Tacoma, $2,072
  • January 5, 2011: Key Bank at 5400 Capitol Boulevard in Tumwater, $1,285
  • January 12, 2011: Key Bank at 3501 South 19th St. in Tacoma, $1,214
  • January 14, 2011: Wells Fargo Bank at 15004 Pacific Ave South in Spanaway, $1,050
  • January 26, 2011 Cathay Bank at 18030 E. Valley Highway in Kent, $0
  • January 27, 2011: First Security Bank at 14808 NE 24th Street in Redmond, $441
  • February 10, 2011: U.S. Bank at 401 15th Street NE in Auburn, $965
  • February 19, 2011: Wells Fargo Bank at 2615 Bridgeport Way W. in University Place, $619
  • March 25, 2011: Sound Community Bank at 2941 S. 38th Street in Tacoma, $1,960
  • April 9, 2011: Wells Fargo Bank at 2615 Bridgeport Way West in University Place, $440
  • April 21, 2011: Cathay Bank at 13238 NE 20th St #200 in Bellevue, $2,330


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