Robbery suspect to undergo evaluation

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INDIO — A Cathedral City woman accused of robbing a Palm Desert bank was ordered Thursday to undergo a psychological exam to determine if she is mentally fit to stand trial.

Bertha Hortencia Rangel, 39, was carrying an undisclosed amount of cash when she was detained by sheriff's deputies as she was leaving 1st Bank in the 73-000 block of Highway 111 on Jan. 19, sheriff's Deputy Angel Ramos said.

Rangel, who sheriff's officials said did not use a weapon, was charged with a felony count of robbery.

At a felony settlement conference at Indio's Larson Justice Center, Riverside County Superior Court Judge William S. Lebov declared doubt as to Rangel's mental competency and ordered a psychologist to examine her.

Rangel is due back in court March 15 for a hearing on the psychology report.

On the day of the robbery, witnesses saw a man and a woman enter the bank and start separate transactions, “with the female reportedly presenting a note to a bank employee demanding money,” sheriff's Sgt. Andrew Nielsen said.

No one was injured, Ramos said, adding that deputies arrived shortly after someone activated the alarm.

Nielsen said a man who was found outside the bank around the time Rangel was arrested was detained but not charged.

Rangel was being held at the county jail in Indio in lieu of $25,000 bail.

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