HAMLET — A woman accused of robbing multiple banks along the East Coast — including one in Richmond County — has been apprehended, along with an accomplice.
Members of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Violent Criminal Apprehension Team took 35-year-old Cierce Nena Baez and 38-year-old Alexis Baez Morales into custody Sunday after finding them at the Charlotte Speedway Inn & Suites, according to an FBI press release.
The two — both of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania — were then taken to the Pitt County Detention Center in Greenville to appear before a magistrate to answer to charges related to a bank robbery in Ayden on July 24.
Baez is suspected of robbing the BB&T in Hamlet around 5:15 Friday afternoon.
Based on evidence gathered by multiple agencies from three states, the FBI says it was able to identify Baez as the suspect. Investigators say they were able to tie Morales to the crimes based on evidence from the Hamlet robbery.
Baez was dubbed the “Pink Lady Bandit” because of a pink handbag she carried in at least two of the robberies, according to the FBI.
The alleged crime spree began July 20 when she is accused of robbing a bank in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Three days later, Baez is accused of hitting a bank in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, before heading to North Carolina and robbing the bank in Ayden the next day.
In each case, investigators say Baez handed the teller a note demanding money.
Baez and Morales are both charged with two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon and one count of conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon. They are each currently being held under a $4 million secured bond.
Federal agents say Baez is also charged in Pennsylvania, and both defendants may face additional charges as the investigation continues.
The following agencies partnered in this investigation: FBI Charlotte, Delaware State Police, Carlisle Police Department, Ayden Police Department, Hamlet Police Department, Greenville Police Department, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, FBI Baltimore, and FBI Philadelphia.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
