Serial bank robber busted

Paul allegedly robbed a Bank of America in Newark on May 24, California Bank and Trust in San Mateo on June 8, Union Bank in Milpitas on June 11, California Bank and Trust in East Palo Alto on June 18, Citi Bank in Milpitas on June 20, Bank of America in Redwood City on Aug. 8, Bank of the West in Newark on Aug. 18 and the Union Bank in San Carlos on Tuesday.

Police suspected Paul from a tip they received after distributing a flier about the robberies.

On Wednesday, the banks were robbed in Oakland and the suspect matched Paul's description. That's when police moved in. They arrived at her house and waited until she came home.

Paul admitted to the eight previous robberies, but denied involvement with the Oakland ones, said Redwood City Det. Jeff Price.

Price began working the case last month when the Redwood City Bank of America was robbed.

Paul used different wigs to disguise her look at each bank. She would hand teller's a demand note and walk out with the money. When the Redwood City assistant bank manager followed Paul, she told him "don't follow are or I'll shoot you up," Price said.

Catching bank robbers is rare, but catching a female serial bank robber is more unique.

"It's not very common at all," Price said.

Paul's case will be tried in federal court since the FBI was involved - as it is with all bank robberies - and because it involved multiple banks in many cities.