Cross-dressing crook targets bank

A man disguised as an elderly woman robbed a bank in Somerset on Wednesday afternoon.

The man disguised himself as a woman with a tan coat and colourful floral scarf around his head. Police said the man even went as far as to wear heavy facial makeup in an attempt to throw witnesses and police off.

"We've seen a lot of bank robberies in the region, but we've never seen a man dressed as a woman robbing a bank," said Police Chief Joseph Ferreira.



The man slid a note to a Citizens Union Bank teller and demanded money. A gun was mentioned in the note, police said, though a weapon was never shown. He fled on food and then possibly drove off in a dark green Volkswagon Cabriolet convertible driven by a woman, police said.

"This is very peculiar", Ferreira said. "He reminded me of maybe Robin Williams in 'Mrs. Doubtfire.'"

The robber is described as a white man around 30 years old. The getaway driver is described as a white woman in her early 20s with long brown hair tied in a pony tail.