By Associated Press - Friday, April 3, 2015

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (AP) - A bank robber dubbed the Central Coast Bandit apologized to the court before being sentenced to 16 years in prison.

Cristina Padilla had pleaded guilty to eight counts following a string of robberies beginning in February 2013. The 52-year-old was sentenced Thursday.

The San Luis Obispo Tribune reports (https://bit.ly/1NGBHgw) the Watsonville resident claimed she began robbing banks so she and her teenage daughter could move out of a bad neighborhood.

Padilla was apprehended after crashing her car during a high-speed chase with police.

The newspaper says she is also expected to receive additional two year prison terms for previous bank robberies crimes in Stanislaus and Monterey counties.

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Information from: The Tribune, https://www.sanluisobispo.com

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