CHESTERFIELD, Va (WTVR) -- The woman Chesterfield Police said is responsible for four bank robberies, appeared via video conferencing from jail inside a Chesterfield courtroom today. Touwana Tate-Edwards, 48, was appointed defense attorney Sharon Fitzgerald. Today's arraignment hearing comes a day after Tate-Edwards was arrested in relation to robbing four Chesterfield County banks.
Tate-Edwards has been charged with four counts of robbery, four counts of entering a bank with intent to commit larceny, one count of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and one count of threats to bomb or damage a building.
Tate-Edwards is accused of carrying out the robbery spree solo, police said. Investigators tell CBS 6 News the suspect was caught on surveillance video holding up the four separate banks, beginning in July and ending this month.
- At the Wells Fargo bank branch at 4400 W. Hundred Road at about 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 12.
- At the Bank of Southside Virginia branch at 4310 W. Hundred Road at about 4 p.m. on Monday, August 6.
- At the Virginia Commonwealth Bank branch at 4600 W. Hundred Road at about 3:30 p.m. on Monday, August 13.
- At the Virginia Credit Union branch at 13025 Jefferson Davis Highway at about 4:20 p.m. on Friday, September 7.
Detectives said Tate-Edwards was caught, after police responded to a street robbery in her neighborhood. Captain Brad Badgerow said detectives were canvassing the area, knocking on doors, when they came across Tate-Edwards. Her description, Badgerow said was similar to the bank robber who managed to escape capture for several months. Investigators learned Tate-Edwards was already wanted for larceny. Following her arrest on the unrelated charge, Badgerow said Tate-Edwards confessed to the string of robberies.
Police said during the crime spree Tate-Edwards was able to get away with less than $10,000 and so far the stolen money has not been recovered.
The judge denied Tate-Edwards bond today. Her next court date is set for October 29, at 1:00 p.m.
