For Immediate Release: 3/22/08

ALLEGED “WEATHERGIRL BANDIT” IDENTIFIED BY CITIZENS IN CONNECTION WITH SOUTH BAY HOLD-UPS

A Los Angeles woman who was identified through tips from the public as the woman who allegedly robbed four banks in South Bay Los Angeles over the past three weeks was arrested and was taken into custody this afternoon, announced Salvador Hernandez, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI in Los Angeles and Rob Uyeda, Chief of the Manhattan Beach Police Department. Felicia Ellen Jones, 45, of Los Angeles, was arrested in connection with the string of bank robberies linked to the “Weathergirl Bandit.” Jones was sought by FBI agents and detectives with the Manhattan Beach Police Department since last evening, after tips from anonymous callers were received by both agencies. Sources claimed they recognized the woman in the bank surveillance images as Jones, when the photos were published in the newspaper and on television. After verifying the source information, agents and detectives sought Jones last night and throughout today. Those efforts led to successful negotiation with Jones, and her arrest, which occurred without incident after she agreed to meet agents and detectives at a designated location in Los Angeles, accompanied by her attorney. During her bank robberies, the Weathergirl Bandit approached the victim teller and possessed a friendly demeanor, though her notes demanded cash, and witnesses stated she had simulated or threatened a weapon. On each occasion, the bandit entered the bank wearing various outfits, sometimes described as "flashy" or even overdressed for the weather. She was nicknamed the Weathergirl Bandit because she discussed the weather with the victim teller to disguise her intention of robbing the bank.  Jones is suspected in the following four bank robberies: Manhattan Beach: 2/29/08 Hermosa Beach: 3/5/08 Manhattan Beach: 3/11/08 Manhattan Beach: 3/19/08 Jones will be held at the Manhattan Police Department through the weekend and will be turned over to federal custody on Monday morning. It is anticipated that Jones will be charged federally with bank robbery on Monday, March 24 th, and will be afforded an initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate in US. District Court in Los Angeles. This investigation and arrest is the result of an investigation by the FBI in Los Angeles and the Manhattan Beach Police Department. Photographs of current bank robbers in Southern California can be found on the FBI’s bank robbery website in Los Angeles at www.labankrobbers.org. CONTACT: FBI Press Relations: Laura Eimiller: 310 996-3343; 310 420-6441 (cell) Manhattan Beach Police Department: 310 802-5140