WEST ALLIS -- A 34-year-old West Allis woman has been charged with robbery of a financial institution after she was caught on camera allegedly robbing two area banks over the last week.
Sarah J. Kraus faces a maximum of 40 years in prison for the robbery of a Brookfield BMO Harris Bank branch. Police confirmed Tuesday the same woman was responsible for a robbery in Hales Corners as well, but Kraus isn't facing charges for that robbery as of yet.
According to the criminal complaint, Kraus entered the BMO Harris Bank branch Saturday morning and passed a note to a teller which read "This is a robbery, no alarms, no bait, and I am armed."
After the teller gave the suspect $500 in 50 dollar bills, the complaint says she asked the teller "is that it?"
The teller told authorities that Kraus was on her phone throughout the entire robbery. She was able to overhear Kraus saying "Don't worry we will get this taken care of," and "I love you," according to the complaint.
After getting away on foot, police were able to quickly share the story through local media - which produced several calls identifying Kraus, the complaint says.
Kraus was taken into custody at a Jimmy John's in Pewaukee where she worked. She made her first court appearance Wednesday.
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