'Bad Hair Bandit' Sentenced 10 Years For Bank Robberies

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - The so-called "Bad Hair Bandit" was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in federal prison for her role in 21 bank robberies, including several in the Sacramento region.

Cynthia Lynn Van Holland, 48, a transient from the states of Idaho and Washington, was also ordered to pay more than $33,000 in restitution.

According to court documents, Van Holland committed robberies in four states - California, Washington, Oregon and Montana. During the early stages of the investigation, the Seattle Office of the FBI dubbed her the "Bad Hair Bandit" because she used a series of unusual wigs and disguises during the bank robberies.

The case was the result of an investigation by the Sacramento Violent Crimes Task Force, which includes the FBI and the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department. In addition, the Placer County Sheriff's Office assisted in apprehending Van Holland.

Van Holland was arrested after the robbery of a Bank of the West branch in Auburn on Aug. 15, 2011. She also robbed banks in Sacramento and Davis.

She pleaded guilty to the robberies in July.