More women robbing local banks

DARTMOUTH, Mass. (WPRI) - Young women are being fingered in a rash of local bank robberies of late -- an occupation classically dominated by the male persuasion. The latest federal stats show women's lib appears to be making a splash in breaking the law.

Since late last year, Eyewitness News has recorded five local bank robberies that all involve women. The latest suspect is just a teenager.

Last October, Lincoln Police say Shirley Green robbed a Navigant Credit Union. She was caught two months later. Earlier this month in Barrington, two more women were taped robbing Barrington's Webster Bank. They were caught and identified as Tiffany Albanese and Janessa Ivarone. That duo and a third woman are now also accused of robbing a bank in Fall River.

The latest cases involve a Bristol County Savings Bank in Dartmouth on Rt. 6, robbed over the weekend, and a Bank Five Savings Bank up the road in New Bedford that was robbed last week.

In those heists, the suspect is believed to be 17-year-old Caitlyn Ingham from Freetown. She's still on the run.

A photo provided by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles -- her driver's license photo -- shows a fresh-faced, petite young blonde, smiling as though she just passed her driver's test.

Det. Robert Levinson of Dartmouth Police walked us through what happened: "She had a note demanding the money, and no dye packs. There was never a threat of her having a weapon; none was shown."

The bank robberies in this area involving six female suspects are part of a national trend. According to FBI statistics, in 2002, 4.9% of the nation's bank robberies were committed by women. In 2009, it's up to 6.2% -- a 25% increase.

Still, police in Dartmouth say it's definitely not something they are used to seeing.

"Maybe it's just the current trend. Things are heading in a different direction," said Det. Levinson.

"I guess women are becoming more brazen as far as committing different types of crimes."

Dartmouth and New Bedford police are still looking for that fresh-faced bank robber. If you know where she is, call the police.