AmericaA 74-year-old woman brought a gun to rob a bank in Ohio after being scammed out of thousands of dollars online and having to borrow money from family and friends.
The Fairfield Police Department, Butler County, Ohio, on April 24 announced that Ms. Ann Mayers, 74 years old, was the person who entered the AurGroup Credit Union bank on April 19 to use a gun to rob money.
Video released by police shows Mayers wearing a dark gray sweater, light gray sweatpants, mask and glasses, holding out a gun and asking a bank employee to give her $500.
Photos released by police show Ms. Ann Mayers committing a robbery at a bank on April 19. Image: CBS
Police received reports of a bank robbery and quickly arrived at the scene, but the suspect had already left. They shared images from surveillance cameras online to help the public find the suspect and arrested Ms. Mayers at her home in Hamilton at 3:00 p.m. the same day. The old lady pleaded guilty.
Brandon McCroskey, a Fairfield police representative, said Mrs. Mayers had no criminal record, but recently lost thousands of dollars in an online scam and owed money to family and friends. Police did not specify how the online fraud was carried out.
“She told me she stole candy once, but she never stole anything else. She said she didn’t understand why she robbed a bank, she just felt desperate,” McCroskey said.
He said Mrs. Mayers once confided in her sister about robbing a bank, but “I think her sister thought she was joking.” Authorities also found the car used in the robbery at Mrs. Mayers’ home. She removed the license plate and stickers on the back of the car to avoid being identified.
When executing the arrest warrant for Ms. Mayers, police also found the stolen money and a loaded handgun in the car. “It shows that she knew what she was about to do and that what she was planning to do was wrong,” McCroskey said.
Mrs. Mayers was charged with armed robbery and tampering with evidence. She was released on bail after paying $100,000 bail.
Hong Hanh (According to CBS)
