Female robber hits downtown bank

The woman walked into the Compass Bank, at 629 E. Elizabeth St., shortly before 3 p.m. telling bank officials that she had an explosive device

Police didn’t know if the woman actually had such a device or any other weapon.

Late Tuesday afternoon, authorities were still questioning witnesses.

Police said the woman made off with $7,000 to $8,000 in cash.

Surveillance video provided by police show the woman walking through the bank robbery carrying what appears to be a large box.

This wasn't the first time the woman visited the bank this week. Surveillance video taken Monday shows the woman actual talking to one of the bank tellers.

Bank robberies seldom occur in Brownsville, much less one involving a female robber.

Police were looking for a woman described as 5 feet tall with a slim build and short brown shoulder length hair. She has freckles and a light complexion. The woman also has a rose tattoo on the righ side of her chest. She was last seen wearing a gray sweater.

Several streets around the Compass Bank area were blocked off after police were told about the bomb threat.

Police deployed a bomb squad and its robot to the bank to search for an explosive device.

"We are not taking any chances; we are taking all the precautions necessary to ensure the safety of the public," FBI spokesman Jorge Cisneros said.

About 25 people were inside the bank when the robbery occurred. They huddled outside the bank minutes after the robbery occurred to be questioned by police. Some two hours later, police were still at the crime scene.

Cisneros said federal authorities are working with police to catch the thief.

As of press time, the woman had still not been caught.