Alleged ‘Freedom Fighter Bandit’ indicted by federal grand jury in Tennessee

Investigators nicknamed the female bank robber the “Freedom Fighter Bandit” because she told tellers she needs the money for a social cause.

Investigators nicknamed the female bank robber the “Freedom Fighter Bandit” because she told tellers she needs the money for a social cause.

A federal grand jury has indicted the alleged serial bank robber dubbed the “Freedom Fighter Bandit,” according to the U.S. District Court in middle Tennessee.

Nilsa Marie Urena, 25, appeared in court Thursday afternoon in Nashville, but was not granted bond. She will remain in custody until a trial is scheduled, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Urena was arrested Saturday after robbing a Crossville, Tenn., according to investigators. The FBI believes Urena, of Philadelphia, is also responsible for multiple robberies across metro Atlanta. She has not yet been charged by the FBI with the Georgia crimes.

Urena allegedly tells bank tellers she needs the cash for various social causes, the FBI has said. The Freedom Fighter Bandit has been credited with eight bank robberies since Oct. 30, according to investigators. The same woman is believed responsible for robberies ranging from Loganville to Douglasville and Comer, about 20 miles northeast of Athens.