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Kansas City woman charged following string of bank robberies

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Posted at 4:47 PM, Feb 24, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-24 17:47:32-05

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A woman accused of robbing two banks within two days was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri’s office.

Sarah Theresa Watkins, 41, is charged with armed robbery at a Central Bank branch in Claycomo on Feb. 1 and Capitol Federal Savings branch on Feb. 2 in Liberty.

Watkins entered the Central Bank on Feb. 1 and handed a bank teller a note that, according to court documents, read, "Hand over all the money, and I won't shoot." That day, Watkins escaped with a little more than $1,800.

The following day, Watkins entered the Capitol Federal Saving branch and presented a similar note. This time the note read, "Hand me all the money, or I will shoot." Watkins left the bank with $971.

Surveillance video captured a white Hyundai four-door sedan which officers with the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department tracked down on Feb. 4.

Officers attempted to conduct traffic stop near East 27th Street and Brooklyn Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, when Watkins fled the scene.

A chase followed and eventually ended near East 21st and Walnut streets, where Watkins was arrested.

For jurisdictions that utilize the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline, anonymous tips can be made by calling 816-474-TIPS (8477), submitting the tip online or through the free mobile app at P3Tips.com.

Annual homicide details and data for the Kansas City area are available through the 41 Action News Homicide Tracker, which was launched in 2015. Read the 41 Action News Mug Shot Policy.