Vanessa Richardson

They managed to smooth things out over the course of the next month. By March 26, 1974, the Hursts had spent $2 million and given away over 150,000 bags of food. It seemed like this time they'd done enough to secure Patty's release, and it appeared the SLA would honor their word.

On April 2nd, almost two months after Patty was kidnapped, they promised to send more details about her release within 72 hours. But the following day, the Hearsts received an alarming recording. Apparently, there'd been a change of plans, but not from the SLA. From Patty. In the recording, she called herself Tanya and claimed that she was no longer the SLA's prisoner because she'd joined them.

On April 2nd, almost two months after Patty was kidnapped, they promised to send more details about her release within 72 hours. But the following day, the Hearsts received an alarming recording. Apparently, there'd been a change of plans, but not from the SLA. From Patty. In the recording, she called herself Tanya and claimed that she was no longer the SLA's prisoner because she'd joined them.

On April 2nd, almost two months after Patty was kidnapped, they promised to send more details about her release within 72 hours. But the following day, the Hearsts received an alarming recording. Apparently, there'd been a change of plans, but not from the SLA. From Patty. In the recording, she called herself Tanya and claimed that she was no longer the SLA's prisoner because she'd joined them.

The Hursts could hardly believe it. Patty had never been very political, and now she was suddenly joining the group that had kidnapped her? It just didn't make sense. They were certain that Patty wasn't in control of the situation. she had to be speaking under duress. But on April 15th, 1974, 12 days after they heard that tape, everything changed.

The Hursts could hardly believe it. Patty had never been very political, and now she was suddenly joining the group that had kidnapped her? It just didn't make sense. They were certain that Patty wasn't in control of the situation. she had to be speaking under duress. But on April 15th, 1974, 12 days after they heard that tape, everything changed.

The Hursts could hardly believe it. Patty had never been very political, and now she was suddenly joining the group that had kidnapped her? It just didn't make sense. They were certain that Patty wasn't in control of the situation. she had to be speaking under duress. But on April 15th, 1974, 12 days after they heard that tape, everything changed.

That day, five armed members of the SLA charged into a bank in San Francisco and stole $10,000. As the group held up the tellers at gunpoint, the bank's surveillance system was recording their every move. When the authorities reviewed the footage, they were shocked to see a familiar face among the robbers. It was the now 20-year-old Patty Hurst. She certainly didn't seem like a captive.

That day, five armed members of the SLA charged into a bank in San Francisco and stole $10,000. As the group held up the tellers at gunpoint, the bank's surveillance system was recording their every move. When the authorities reviewed the footage, they were shocked to see a familiar face among the robbers. It was the now 20-year-old Patty Hurst. She certainly didn't seem like a captive.

That day, five armed members of the SLA charged into a bank in San Francisco and stole $10,000. As the group held up the tellers at gunpoint, the bank's surveillance system was recording their every move. When the authorities reviewed the footage, they were shocked to see a familiar face among the robbers. It was the now 20-year-old Patty Hurst. She certainly didn't seem like a captive.

Patty was armed with a gun and was a full participant in the heist. In case there were any doubts, she sent out another recording after the robbery. She said she was, quote, "...a soldier in the People's Army." No matter what her parents believed, Patty's case changed at that moment. All of a sudden, the authorities were less interested in rescuing her and more interested in arresting her.

Patty was armed with a gun and was a full participant in the heist. In case there were any doubts, she sent out another recording after the robbery. She said she was, quote, "...a soldier in the People's Army." No matter what her parents believed, Patty's case changed at that moment. All of a sudden, the authorities were less interested in rescuing her and more interested in arresting her.

Patty was armed with a gun and was a full participant in the heist. In case there were any doubts, she sent out another recording after the robbery. She said she was, quote, "...a soldier in the People's Army." No matter what her parents believed, Patty's case changed at that moment. All of a sudden, the authorities were less interested in rescuing her and more interested in arresting her.

And they were willing to do whatever it took to catch her. On April 15, 1974, the Symbionese Liberation Army robbed a bank in San Francisco. Patty Hearst, who they'd kidnapped a little over two months earlier, helped them do it. And if she was to be believed, she'd done it voluntarily. The authorities took her at her word.

And they were willing to do whatever it took to catch her. On April 15, 1974, the Symbionese Liberation Army robbed a bank in San Francisco. Patty Hearst, who they'd kidnapped a little over two months earlier, helped them do it. And if she was to be believed, she'd done it voluntarily. The authorities took her at her word.

And they were willing to do whatever it took to catch her. On April 15, 1974, the Symbionese Liberation Army robbed a bank in San Francisco. Patty Hearst, who they'd kidnapped a little over two months earlier, helped them do it. And if she was to be believed, she'd done it voluntarily. The authorities took her at her word.

Less than 10 days later, the FBI launched an investigation into the SLA and released a wanted poster with several of its members. Patty was on it. Shortly after the release of the wanted poster, the SLA moved their safe house to another neighborhood in San Francisco. Before long, they moved yet again to a safe house hundreds of miles away in South Los Angeles.

Less than 10 days later, the FBI launched an investigation into the SLA and released a wanted poster with several of its members. Patty was on it. Shortly after the release of the wanted poster, the SLA moved their safe house to another neighborhood in San Francisco. Before long, they moved yet again to a safe house hundreds of miles away in South Los Angeles.

Less than 10 days later, the FBI launched an investigation into the SLA and released a wanted poster with several of its members. Patty was on it. Shortly after the release of the wanted poster, the SLA moved their safe house to another neighborhood in San Francisco. Before long, they moved yet again to a safe house hundreds of miles away in South Los Angeles.

The LAPD didn't know the SLA was there until a few of them attracted some unwanted attention. In May 1974, about a month after the bank robbery, Patty went on a supply run with one of her kidnappers, Bill Harris, and his wife, Emily. Bill and Emily headed into a Mel's Sporting Goods store while Patty waited in the group's van.