Police Let Robber’s Widow Go

The widow of one of the two bank robbers fatally shot by police in the North Hollywood Bank of America holdup was released from jail Tuesday, nearly a week after the woman led Los Angeles police detectives to hundreds of thousands of dollars believed stolen by her husband.

The woman, Jeanette Teresa Federico, was arrested last week on a warrant issued in connection with a child custody charge in New Mexico. She was released from jail in Brighton, Colo., on a $10,000 bond, and was ordered to return to Adams County Court on June 19, said her Denver attorney, Steven Newell.

“It was gratifying to see that the court looked at what was going on here,” Newell said. “She’s a 28-year-old with no criminal history.”

Federico was married to Larry Phillips, who died along with his partner in crime, Emil Matasareanu. The two robbers engaged police in a fierce gunfight that began outside the Laurel Canyon Boulevard branch of Bank of America on Feb. 28.

Federico, who is not considered a suspect in the North Hollywood bank robbery, turned herself in at the Thornton, Colo., police station after learning she was the focus of a nationwide manhunt, Newell said. Police alleged she was in Los Angeles the day of the North Hollywood robbery and hoped she could lead authorities to an estimated $1.7 million in cash stolen during at least two previous bank robberies.

Indeed, she told police about the Anaheim Hills home she shared with Phillips. Authorities discovered a cache of weapons there, along with several hundred thousand dollars believed to be Phillips’ share of robbery proceeds. Police say they do not believe Federico knew the money was hidden there.

Colorado authorities discovered Federico had been charged with “custodial interference” in May 1993, and indicted in Santa Fe, N.M., last November, Newell said.

Federico had apparently left the state with her 7-year-old daughter while she was in custody talks with the girl’s father. Under New Mexico law, Federico faces a felony charge with a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison.

The child was returned to New Mexico last week to live with her biological father, Newell said.

Another child, a 3-year-old boy believed to be Phillips’ son, had been placed in protective custody but is now back with Federico, Newell said.

Newell said Federico is not likely to fight the extradition request by New Mexico authorities when she returns to court on June 19.

Newell described Federico as a concerned parent who has aided authorities in their investigation.

“She was willing to talk to the police and cooperated fully,” Newell said.

Los Angeles civil rights attorney Steven Yagman, who is suing the city of Los Angeles on behalf of Matasareanu’s children, was in Colorado a day before Federico surrendered to authorities. Yagman would not say whether he has been hired by Federico. Yagman alleges Matasareanu was “murdered” by police who let him bleed to death after he was shot.

Police say they did not call for emergency medical help immediately because they believed more suspects could be loose in the area. In addition, police said, the robber’s body could have been rigged with explosives.

Phillips died after he shot himself in the head as he was hit by several rounds from police.