ALLEGED BRUNETTE BANDIT, TAKEN INTO CUSTODY SATURDAY BY REDONDO BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT, TO BE CHARGED TODAY IN FEDERAL COURT

A woman believed to be a bank robber responsible for robbing multiple banks in South Bay Los Angeles was apprehended Saturday after robbing a Washington Mutual bank branch in Lakewood, California, and attempting later in the day to rob a Wells Fargo bank branch in Redondo Beach, California, announced J. Stephen Tidwell, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI in Los Angeles. Dalia Jimenez, 26, of Paramount, is being held in connection with Saturday's robbery, and is suspected in three earlier bank robberies in Redondo Beach, Torrance and Manhattan Beach, California, since May 8th, 2007. The Brunette Bandit was known to enter the bank and present a note to the victim teller demanding cash, as well as brandishing a weapon which she threatened to use.

During Saturday's attempted robbery, a bank teller recognized Jimenez, who is alleged to have robbed the same bank previously. Security guards from the bank and a nearby business, aided by a retired law enforcement officer, apprehended Jimenez and held her until officers with the Redondo Beach Police Department arrived to make the arrest.

Jimenez was turned over to the custody of FBI Agents and will be afforded an initial appearance in U.S. District Court this morning where she will be charged with bank robbery. The investigation into the earlier bank robberies in which Jimenez is a suspect continues.