Woman, 66, Held in Bank Robbery : Crime: Leona Vanatta allegedly fled with $242 before she was arrested. “She said that all she wanted to do was pay her rent,” an officer said.

A 66-year-old woman was arrested Friday after she allegedly robbed a San Fernando bank at gunpoint, then pedaled a bicycle past a nearby police station, authorities said.

A bank teller told police that Leona Vanatta of San Fernando drew a handgun after being told that she could not make a withdrawal because her Social Security check had not been automatically deposited, said San Fernando Police Officer Ray Hough.

When police officers stopped Vanatta minutes after the holdup, they found a 9mm handgun and $242 in cash inside a canvas bag she was carrying with her on the bicycle, Sgt. Robert Ordelheide said.

“She said that all she wanted to do was pay her rent,” Ordelheide said. “It seems to have been an act of desperation.”

The robbery occurred about 10:30 a.m. after Vanatta was told by a teller at Trans World Bank that because her supplemental Social Security check had not been automatically deposited, she did not have any funds available, Ordelheide said.

Then, Vanatta, who was a regular customer, “pulled a gun from her bag, pointed it at the teller and said, ‘Now, can I have my money?’ ” Ordelheide said.

“The bewildered but frightened teller asked the manager what to do and was advised to give the suspect whatever she wanted,” Ordelheide said. “When asked what she wanted, Vanatta said, ‘Give me my $242.”’

Vanatta, who is unmarried and retired, is dependent on the $242 checks to pay rent and buy food, Ordelheide said.

After the robbery, Vanatta “calmly walked out and got on a bicycle,” Ordelheide said.

A bank employee followed her on foot, watched as she rode past the police station, and went to the police station himself to report the robbery, Ordelheide said.

The police station is about two blocks from the bank.

Minutes after the robbery, two officers arrested Vanatta after they saw her riding the bicycle east on 4th Street, he said.

After being identified by bank employees, Vanatta was booked for armed robbery and held at the Sybil Brand Institute for Women in lieu of $30,000 bail, Ordelheide said.

Vanatta told police she had bought the handgun about six years ago to protect herself.

Her arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday in San Fernando Municipal Court.